The Power of Accountability

What exactly is accountability?

“Accountability is the acknowledgment of responsibility for your actions with the obligation to report, explain, and be responsible for the resulting consequences.”

Accountability is very powerful when used for the purpose of encouragement, not shaming.

The key word here is “responsible.” In our lives we take responsibility for many things, except when it comes to our health. For some reason, many people tend to put that last, when it should be put first. However, when we are held accountable for something in which there are negative consequences, such as with paying bills or turning in homework late, we are statistically more likely to keep on top of things. In the above scenarios there is a late fee or reduced points, however, when it comes to your health, what are the negative consequences? Weight gain? Poor health?

In a recent study at Virginia Polytechnic University, researchers divided people starting a walking program into two groups.

Every week, each individual in one group received a phone call asking how their exercise program was coming along, while the other group received no calls.

At the end of 24 weeks, 45% of the individuals who received the phone calls were still walking compared to just 2% who did not receive calls. The results show that weekly accountability increases the likelihood of sticking to your exercise program by 2200%!
At JustinFit, we hold you accountable for your health. Not in the negative sense, but in a positive and encouraging way. With your trainer checking in, you are more likely to maintain your healthy lifestyle; and isn’t that the whole point? Nobody wants temporary results! Everyone wants results that last. So what’s the secret? Accountability.

By: Justin A. Seedman BS, CPT, CHC