Now…how will you be held accountable for reaching these goals? Participants who have built in a method for accountability in their goals to keep themselves from slipping have enjoyed great success.
You have joined this program with a group of like-minded people. Use them! They need your support as much as you need theirs. You can use this new found support system in many ways to help you stay on task. Here are a few suggestions former groups found helpful:
With a Group
- Meet once a week and walk/workout/play sports together.
- Have intergroup competitions. (Add to a pot of money weekly for the person who walks the farthest that week.)
- On the job, walk around your building after lunch together.
- Have a “bring a healthy dish to work” day.
- If comfortable, chart progress (weight/inches/steps walked) on a big chart in the office.
With a Partner
- Meet often or everyday and walk/workout/play sports together.
- Taste-test healthy foods at different restaurants.
- Be on call for moments of weakness.
- If you made a healthy dinner, pack leftovers and share with the partner at lunch.
- Chart your successes and failures.
- Reward each other for meeting short- and long-term goals.
There are a million ways we can support each other. Think of some fun and creative ways to keep this program enjoyable while encouraging each other. Remember, six weeks into the program,motivation might start to wane. Plan some activities and strategies that will keep you going in the long haul. Lifestyle change is the true goal. It will not be long before you forget the days of being a professional couch potato!
Name some fun ways you and your partner or group can support each other and stay accountable to the goals you have set.
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