Promoting Accountability for Weight Loss

Chances are you practice accountability in many aspects of your life. To be accountable means to be responsible to someone or something for an action. It is an attribute that can benefit you personally and professionally, helping you to maintain your household, nourish relationships and succeed in the workplace.

Your level of personal accountability will play a significant role in your weight loss program. Bariatric surgery gives you the tools to succeed, and it is up to you to use these tools to make healthy changes in your life. Developing a sense of accountability can help you with this.

Becoming Accountable to your Goals

There are two forms of accountability: internal and external. Internal accountability is also known as personal accountability. This is the standard that you hold yourself to and the level of responsibility you take in meeting your own expectations. External accountability is answerability to other sources, such as your boss, your weight loss surgeon or your family.

During your weight loss program, internal and external sources of accountability often work side by side to help you stay on track and reach your weight loss goals.

Here are several tools and strategies that may help you become more accountable:

A weight loss journal

This is a great resource for improving personal accountability. Make a habit of writing down the food you eat, the beverages you drink and the actions you take. Log when you go to sleep, when you wake up and how you feel throughout the day. You can also log thoughts, stressors and other events. Writing down your actions can help you notice trends that might conflict with your weight loss efforts, and will encourage you to become more accountable in your diet and exercise habits.

A workout partner

Contact a friend, a neighbor or even a personal trainer and set a time when you are going to work out together. Making set plans with someone will encourage you to stick to your exercise plans, and a good workout buddy may even encourage you to push yourself a little farther each day. If you do not feel comfortable working out with friends, consider hiring a personal trainer. This adds a financial incentive to your workouts, as well.

Reach out for social support

Let your friends and family members know how they can help you stay accountable to your weight loss goals. This might include asking you how you are doing on occasion, or inviting you out for tea or a walk instead of meeting for dessert. You may also consider joining a support group, which is a network of your peers who have similar experiences to your own. There are even some weight loss support groups who take part in group weigh-ins to increase the level of group accountability.

A good sense of accountability can be a helpful resource during your weight loss program. When you are accountable, you are less likely to stray from your post-weight loss surgery diet, to skip a workout or to cancel a follow-up appointment with your weight loss surgeon. Do your best to stay accountable as you strive towards your weight loss goals after bariatric surgery.