Accountability

So I have been trying to figure out why our weight loss program is working this time. Like many of you, I have tried many times to lose weight with limited success. I actually feel like I can keep the weight off this time. Though it's only been since November 2008 that we've been on Weight Watchers, and I still have 45+ pounds to go, I feel like, psychologically, I am there already.

I think that is half the battle, isn't it? We always psych ourselves up and then eventually psych ourselves out when the going gets tough. Losing 53 pounds is nothing to sneeze at, and I am finding that even if I plateau, or gain a pound, I don't feel defeated. I work harder the next week, and it usually pays off in the end. Slow, baby steps, is the way to success.

The one main thing that is different this time is that I have committed myself to this program and am making myself accountable for my actions. I'm not just all talk.

I do this by weighing myself every Sunday morning and keeping track of it in a journal. If I've gained too much, then I need to look at what I've been eating or how much exercise I've been getting. I do this by writing blog posts and telling you all about my weight loss struggles and achievements and setting goals for the coming month. I do this by posting updates to various forums I am a member of and taking body measurements once a month. I do this by keeping that little Ticker at the bottom of this page up to date with my weight loss info. And I suppose you could make yourself accountable by attending weight loss meetings or attending some other function where you are required to check in or get yourself a personal trainer that you must report to. You could also keep a chart or graph so that you can visually keep track of your achievements, which is a powerful tool. And definitely take before photos, in-progress photos and after photos so you have visual conformation of your achievements.

I think we all know, as much as we hate to admit it, we work harder when there is someone else looking over our shoulder...someone we must report to...someone who is ready to evaluate our progress. It does help that my husband and I are doing this together, but it's no excuse not to try to do this on your own, when there are so many other ways you can make yourself accountable for what you are doing.

My biggest weakness is getting in enough exercise. So I am going to create a chart for myself. Kind of like the board that was on the fridge when you were a kid, that laid out all the chores you had to complete each week in order to get your allowance. And each time you completed something, you got a gold star. Does anyone do that anymore? They should because it worked! I will start the chart this coming Sunday (April 26th) and will report the results a week from Monday. So look for those posts starting May 4th. I'm going to call it Dottie's Scorecard.

So. my challenge to you is to implement at least one of these methods and see if it helps you stay on track. And I'd love to hear from readers on tips that have worked for them and will consider starting a new series called Reader Tips if we get a lot of responses.