Keeping Accountable with Healthy Habits
How do you keep accountable to healthy eating habits and an exercise routine? Especially when your schedule is full, you're purely exhausted, and or even lack motivation.
There are many ways, a good friend or two, journaling, setting goals, rewards, spouses, and pets to keep us accountable.
Friends are great resources for accountability because they can be the ones who will ask you to join them at the gym for a workout, a walk, or even that gentle nudge that you need to pick up the pace. Journaling is a written way to hold yourself accountable for healthy habits. It allows you to write down what you hope to achieve, keep tabs on progress, then reflect on them. You can see what is or is not working and strategize ways to get around any barriers that are prohibiting you from reaching the healthiest you. You may look back on the day and say, "Wow, look how far I have come!" Setting goals and rewards can set you up for success and accountability. By setting SMART goal(s) you can create ones that help you achieve your long-term goals because they are measurable, concise, and trackable. Then setting up a non-food reward is a great way to celebrate when you achieve your goal!
A spouse can be the push you need to maintain healthy habits. Creating a healthy competition, such as a steps challenge on an app or schedule time together to take a walk or a workout. When you feel like giving up, they can be right there to encourage you not to quit and to keep moving forward.
Did you know pets, such as dogs, can keep us accountable too? Now, you may wonder, how does a pet keep us accountable? Well, I'm pretty sure our dog didn't know either just how she did it, but I'm going to tell you. For the longest time, the thing that kept me accountable for my exercising efforts was our Labrador retriever, Abby. We bought her as a puppy, and I knew that I was going to teach her just how to walk on a leash nicely and knowing pets need exercise too, that is where it began. We started off taking our walks around the complex we lived in at the time, which transitioned into a home with kids. I knew the importance of getting all of us out for some fresh air would be beneficial for everyone's health. As the years went on and countless walks, my two daughters started school and my husband at work, it transitioned to just Abby and I. Boy, she loved her walks, and so did I. I knew I had to do it for both of us to stay active and that we did. I never counted the mile, but I am sure it was a lot over 15 years. As Abby became older, she couldn't walk as far, but we did all we could. And now while she is resting in GOD's hands, I look back and think how active she kept me, and I kept her.
In conclusion, my point is, when you feel like you don't have time, are too tired, or don't feel like keeping up with healthy habits, there are many ways to keep yourself accountable.
Photo credit #2: Valley Nutrition & Wellness, LLC/Jessica Clark, RD, LDN