“Diet buddies are just two people who share a common goal and know they can count on each other to help them achieve that goal in whatever way it takes to do that,” says Shafran.

For some, that may mean working out together or getting together to cook or swap recipes a couple times a week. For others, it can mean taking turns babysitting so that each of you can get to the gym separately.

Another consideration is mutual availability. Both partners should agree up front on how much time and energy they have to devote to the partnership, and discuss what they need from each other during that time.

Also important: The primary mode of contact and support. If you’re constantly monitoring your email and need a buddy who’s always there when you send out that Instant Message S.O.S., be sure you pick a buddy who is as computer-accessible as you. If what you really need is face-to-face contact, pick a buddy who has a similar need — and the time to share.

Why is accountability important?

We all need accountability for ANY goals we want to achieve. Whether it be to lose weight, to not spend so much money, to quit smoking, to read 1 book a month, to not drink so much caffeine, (the list could go on and on). The bottom line is, we NEED accountability…we NEED each other to get what we want out of life. And the really cool thing is, by helping others with their accountability, they can help us with our accountability. And that is a win/win situation…with everyone getting the accountability that they need! Making for a much happier life…and let’s be honest, isn’t that what we all want? I know I do!

Why having an accountability partner is key!

Teaming up is more fun, and it may even help you shed more pounds. So let’s break this down on how accountability is important to specifically achieving fitness goals. For starters, the key is consistency. And without accountability, it’s hard to be consistent. Let me give you an example: Let’s say you are super psyched about working out. You set a goal for yourself that you are going to get up and go to the gym every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5am. You do it for 2 weeks straight and then your alarm doesn’t go off one morning, and you kinda liked sleeping in, so you decide you just don’t “like” getting up and working out that early in the morning anymore. So you don’t…and you don’t achieve the goal you set for yourself. You had no accountability, therefore, you didn’t have any one to push you towards your goal.

BUT let’s say you were meeting a friend at the gym every morning…then that changes things. If your alarm happened to not go off one morning…guess who is going to be calling you and giving you a hard time? That’s right…your friend, your accountability partner, that had to do the workout solo. And guess what else…you will make sure that alarm goes off the next time your supposed to workout and then you (and your accountability partner) are well on your way to achieving the goal you set for yourselves.

Now let’s apply this to Fitness Camp. Not only is your Coach getting out of bed early to help YOU achieve YOUR goals, but your fellow Campers (aka accountability partners) are getting out of bed and counting on you to be there. You all workout together as a team, each pushing each other to your individual goals, and counting on each other to achieve them. We all need accountability partners and depend on each other…so let’s make sure we are holding each other accountable so we ALL get what we set out to get.

The importance of self-accountability

Another factor that comes into play with accountability, is lack of SELF-accountability. Even though we all need each other to ultimately achieve our goals…we need to have self-accountability! When it comes to fitness goals, it takes A LOT of hard work, commitment and dedication to get to where you are going. Most people really start out with good intentions, but then they quit and come up with a million excuses to justify why they aren’t going to do it anymore. And we have found that the #1 reason they quit is because there are no real consequences for their inaction, for their lack of self-accountability.

You and your accountability partner, or partners, need to set CLEAR goals for yourselves and reward yourselves accordingly. If you reach your goal…treat yourself to something you’ve been wanting. But on the flip side, if you DON’T achieve your goal…or just plain “quit”, there needs to be a consequence for that as well. Just like at your job, if you have an assignment due by a certain date you are going to do it because if you DON’T you could possibly lose your job. Treat your fitness goals with the same sense of urgency. It may be hard and take time, but it will be well worth your efforts!

 

Source: http://victoryfitnesscamp.com/