Sticking with a fitness program can be challenging for even the most dedicated types. One of the best strategies to hit your goals is to take ownership and be held accountable for your action (or inaction).
Lean into your tribe
That means, for example, taking stock of how much you exercise and how far you have progressed towards your fitness goals. Then what? Many people find success by sharing details of each goal and your progress towards each it in a public way.
Share openly
It matters less how you go about it and more that you do it. Being authentic and vulnerable will help others provide encouragement and guidance. The key is to make the people in your life invested in your journey and progress. That’s because, when you tell people about your ambitions, they will usually be very supportive and will begin to actively seek out opportunities to help you thrive. For instance, if you’re trying to lose weight, your friend might offer to go for a walk a few times a week.
A SMART endeavor
Whatever the goal, at hand, you’ll need to follow some basic best practices to increase the chance of success. The SMART(Specific, Measurement, Realistic, Timely) system is popular because it works. This means you will need to define a goal like “Lose 10 pounds by June of this year with strength-training exercise 5 times a week and following a prescribed nutrition plan.” From here, check in with your accountability partners and share regular updates.
Bottom line? If you set a health and fitness goal but keep it to yourself, there’s no skin in the game. You’re more likely to throw in the towel. However, if you share the goal with friends, family, and colleagues, they will lend their support. So, make your fitness goals and your progress towards them public. It’s scary at first, but so then is the thought of staying the same!