Personal Trainer RANT on Accountability for Successful Body Transformation

I have not done a rant post in a long time but I am posting this one today.  Body transformation is hard.  Even if you know exactly what to do, it is still hard.  Even if you have done it successfully in the past... IT IS STILL HARD.  Now if you have NEVER EVER done it successfully before...IT IS EVEN HARDER and you are going to NEED SUPPORT...Period.  I don't mean the once a week tell your trainer how your week went support.  I mean the angel on your shoulder yelling at you to "step away from the cookie" or the friendly fitness pal on the other shoulder who says "nuts are healthy but come on lady you KNOW 5 handfuls is not a serving size" type of support- DAILY ACCOUNTABILITY (sometimes multiple times per day).

Although transformation can be boiled down to these simple instructions...eat produce, protein, and healthy fats, avoid processed foods, eat when you are hungry but don't eat past being satisfied, drink plenty of water and do high intensity exercise 4-6 days per week- doing all of those things EVERY SINGLE DAY is still challenging.  I have been writing to my members weekly and sharing the top habits of successful body transformation members and this week's habit is....

GETTING DAILY ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ACTIONS REQUIRED TO TRANSFORM!

I have suggested this in the past during transformation challenges, to some members individually and have participated in daily accountability personally to hit certain fitness goals or to get "back on the wagon" after some time having a little too much fun with splurge foods.  Over time I have come to know that look in a member's eye that says, "Yea right. So typing in a little group each day is going to change my body.  OK coach!".  Then come the excuses or the downright non compliance followed by the "oh I forgot" when I inquire about why they aren't doing it. So today I am sharing

TOP EXCUSES FOR NOT GETTING THE NECESSARY DAILY ACCOUNTABILITY TO SUCCEED AT BODY TRANSFORMATION

WARNING: If you are sensitive, get offended easily, or often believe that someone is talking specifically about you when addressing a group...PLEASE DO NOT READ THIS.  I promise you that you will find at least one of these excuses that fit you and if you have ever told me one of them, you may believe that you are the only one who has and that this post is calling you out.  IT IS NOT!  Remember I have transformed my body as well (multiple times) and participated in various forms of daily accountability (text buddies, virtual workout partners, fitness chat groups, etc) and some of these excuses have come from my own mouth.  So if you can keep that in mind and find the humor and inspiration to change in this post (laughing at yourself is good medicine)...READ ON.  If not...CLOSE YOUR BROWSER NOW!

Member Says  

I don’t have time to check in DAILY with anyone.

Coach Hears

I don’t think having accountability will help and I am not willing to add that to my long list of to do’s but I like you too much to tell you that I don't think it will work so I will humor you and tell you I don't have the time and wish I did have the time to do it...ah if only I had the time. 

OR 

I am not really ready to change my habits so there is no way I am posting every day so that you can see blow by blow how I am bastardizing the plan you gave me.  

OR

I don't want to take MY time to do something that will help me get results BUT I will make the time to tell you often how I would really like faster results AND I completely expect YOU to take time to write me a different plan because I KNOW that the workout is the problem and not my lack of compliance with the plan...even though I know I am NOT complying with the plan. Oh and by the way... I won't be complying with the new plan either if you do take the time to create it.  I knew you would understand... you are a great coach.  Thanks!

Solution

Make the time to follow your plan.  Getting accountability is part of the plan so do it.

Member Says

I don’t understand how to/want to use chat groups, Facebook, and such.

Coach Hears

Getting this accountability and better results is not important enough to me to spend 10-30 minutes to acquire a new skill.

Solution  

Do it anyway.  You can learn how to check in on an online group faster than it takes you to try to figure out why you aren't getting results.  An added bonus is when you learn how, you won’t have to invest that time ever again.

Member Says

I get so busy that I forget to check in.You should send like a reminder text or something so that I can remember to check in.

Coach Hears  

This is not a part of my daily routine and I am having difficulty doing it but rather than schedule it like I do all of the other things in life I am busy doing, I would like you to take that responsibility for me so that if YOU forget to text me to remind me to do MY daily check in...it won't be my fault.

Solution  

Schedule it like anything else that is important to you.  Do it at the same time long enough and you won’t have to schedule it…just like brushing your teeth, it will be a habit.

Member Says  

I am a private person and I don’t want everyone reading about my journey.

Coach Hears

I am afraid to fail in front of others and I think my struggles are unique to me which is why I have isolated myself and make it significantly harder for me to reach my goals.

Solution

Do it anyway.  You don’t have to tell all the vivid details of your personal life to get support on your fitness journey.  You will be surprised how many people have the same struggles that you have and you will be informed and inspired as you learn how other people successfully deal with the same issues. 

So the moral of the story is ...get daily accountability to dramatically improve your mindset and your results.  If you saw yourself in any of these "member says" statements (I know I did), fix it.  If you are a member of Fit Club, you can get daily accountability by participating in our private Facebook group.  If not, there are many online fitness forums where you can get daily support from people on a mission to optimize their personal health and fitness.