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The Importance of Accountability


Accountability is an important factor in sustaining just about anything you do. Whether it’s your local politician being held accountable for his deeds or your child learning that his actions have consequences, that responsibility to someone or for some activity is vital.

One of the main reasons for me starting this site a few years ago was to be held accountable. To my loved ones that I shared the site with. To the readers I’ve gained over time. To myself. It’s worked off and on. In the time I’ve had the site up I’ve been able to lose a lot of weight, but then I’d gain it. That is until recently. The last few months have been different. I haven’t felt as focused and in-sync with my goals since I last trained in college.

That’s a good feeling.

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Back to accountability… Like I said, it’s vital in sustaining your weight loss. It sucks to let people down. Plain and simple. So don’t let people down. That is why it’s good to let everyone know about your journey. Let your coworkers know to support you. It doesn’t mean them calling you at night to make sure you aren’t binging. It can be little things, like walking with you to the water cooler to fill up on water instead of soda. It can even mean them taking the stairs instead of the elevator with you, or simply reminding you to do that. Tell your family, even the ones that have doubted you in the past. Let them know to remind you to not eat that extra serving during the family reunion. Put notes and messages all around you. In your car, office, house, wallet, cell phone. Everywhere. Hell, even set up a daily cell phone reminder with something motivational.

Do whatever it takes to stay motivated and accountable… that’s the only way you can sustain this.

What’s holding you accountable?

About the Author

My name is Israel Lagares. I used to be the kind of guy that was always in shape, but over the last few years I've fallen off tremendously. This site is my final attempt to get back into shape. So far I've lost 70.4 lbs. Check out my weight loss chart, weight loss videos and progress pics. Follow my journey, those of others, and read our thoughts on various health topics. Share your thoughts, experience, and journey here on FMU.

Community Thoughts (16)

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  1. I think that is spot on. I use the blog as the accountability as you did too. One thing that has really helped me is creating workouts for other people to do…I’d look pretty silly if I didn’t use the same workouts while they are busting their butt to complete them…that’s really helped me stay motivated lately.

    • HeatherNo Gravatar says:

      I think one of the coolest things about the whole “blog” movement is that it has made it really easy for people to start blogs as ways of keeping themselves accountable and finding support, like both of you have. A few years ago, it just wouldn’t have been possible! And it seems to really be helping people…so that’s awesome.

    • JohnNo Gravatar says:

      I think it’s very important that you have reasons for why you want to lose weight.

      Your main reason should have to deal with yourself. Being healthy and eating well is always the best choice. Not only will you feel better about yourself, but you will be able to have a better life.

      Accountability is important, but I think you should focus on yourself rather than what other people think. It’s about not letting yourself down. There are no benefits of being overweight, so it’s important to work hard to get your body in shape.

  2. Frank DobnerNo Gravatar says:

    For those of us who are good at self-accountability, using metrics that we hold ourselves is really important. In other words:

    1. Number of strength workouts per week
    2. Number of cardio sessions per week
    3. Number of calories per day.

  3. jump higherNo Gravatar says:

    Right On. Not only does accountability hold true in the world of weight loss but in every endevor that you take place in. Whether or not it’s sports or business – Accountability is what allows us to excell.

    In other words if you don’t except excuses on an internal level, you will see that in your results externally, whether it be weight loss, weight gain, business or whatever.

  4. lauraleiNo Gravatar says:

    that is the main reason I like to blog – when you are blogging for others you get the benefits too

  5. I have a client I am training now and she told everyone she was going to lose weight. She is now being held accountable by everyone she knows.

  6. PbNo Gravatar says:

    This is spot on – though I think the inclusion of other people should be better evaluated on a case by case basis, as some will support your efforts and some others will insist that “Just this once!” cannot possibly defeat your goals…even when the once happens to be every time.

    My accountability tactic is more roundabout: I love running -which is socially approved- and weight causes me to slow down (& my knees don’t love the extra work!), so all I ask for is support in my exercise routine*.

    *well, it will BECOME a routine.

  7. Shawn SmithNo Gravatar says:

    Accountability is really important especially when you have focused on what you want to achieve it is important that we should follow what we are really looking for…

  8. Walt HaworthNo Gravatar says:

    I had never thought about a blog being an accountability tool. Without followers, however, there is no accountability. I think that the dieter needs encouragement to keep up their hard work. I have started following one blog in particular and sending comments of encouragement for that individual. I like to point out to people that diet is not a temporary thing. It is a lifestyle that one needs to adopt in order to be healthier. If it is temporary the weight loss is liable to be temporary.

  9. Hi Israel,

    accountability is indeed very important when it comes to succeeding in one’s goals, whether that is weight loss or something else.

    What holds me accountable in my goal is my brother to whom I talk regularly on the phone. He lives in Ireland. The fact that I read my goal every day in the morning helps, too, because it programs my subconscious mind to align with my goal. Aloud!

  10. So true Israel. Whether it comes from a friend, family member, or blog — accountability is huge.

    Really enjoy your blog, you’ve done a great job with it!

  11. Very good post!

    There are a few things that hold me accountable. First is my weight lifting rival. Him and I are constantly daring each other to take the next step in body perfection. We’re accountable for not only pushing each other, but to encourage each other to become something more than we ever thought we could.

    Another is my website. It’s important to keep information fresh and continuous. The goal being to help many people from all over the world.

    So far it has paid off 🙂

  12. nicofluidNo Gravatar says:

    Right On. Not only does accountability hold true in the world of weight loss but in every endevor that you take place in.

  13. LindaNo Gravatar says:

    This is so true. I’ve just been searching for facebook integrating apps just for this purpose. I feel that if my fitness data is tied into FB it will give me more accountability. Of course I run the risk of it just getting lost in the white noise that is peoples facebook updates but in theory it seems good.

  14. TommyNo Gravatar says:

    I’ve let myself down in the past many times. However, as you said, when you let others know what you are doing it’s much harder to stray from your goal.

    Thanks for the great post!

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