My guess is, you want to know how to stay accountable on a diet.
You started a diet but you are super busy with work and your family life and the last thing you want to do is add yet another thing to think about to your list.
You need a strategy for staying accountable on your diet and in this article, I’m going to share some ways to do just that.
Weight Loss Accountability Strategy #1: Delegate Responsibility
As a personal trainer, I really believe in looking to others for help.
In any business for example, the CEO doesn’t perform all the tasks of the company his or herself.
And that’s because any great executive knows that outsourcing frees up precious decision-making time.
The same concept applies to staying accountable on a diet and if you want the best way to stay accountable, I recommend delegating that responsibility to somebody else.
That way, you can focus on all the things you do best and let the experts in diet and fitness, take care of you.
Now, of course you will have to assume some personal responsibility because at the end of the day, a trainer is not going to be with you every second of the day.
However, what they can do for you is set up a strategy that matches your lifestyle exactly.
The problem with a lot of the diet programs out there is that they are not specific to you.
And the reality is, if it isn’t specific to the way your life is set up, it’s not going to work.
So hire a personal trainer to look after your diet and make sure you are getting your workouts in.
Boston magazine had an article that explains this well:
“Hiring a personal trainer to help keep you safe and hold you accountable is the best investment in yourself you’ll ever make.”
Ideally, you want the trainer to offer accountability outside of that hour that you guys work out together.
That’s why with a lot of my clients, I keep in close contact with them throughout the day and make sure they are ordering the right food at lunch and are staying within their calorie budget.
Weight Loss Accountability Strategy #2: Plan Ahead of Time
The next strategy to staying accountable on a diet involves setting up your plan ahead of time.
You wouldn’t go into a business meeting without a plan and the same concept applies to your diet and exercise.
You need a structured plan with a set of principles to help guide you through each day.
The compound growth effect of following a structured diet and exercise plan is ultimately improvements to your body composition and the way you feel.
If you want to change your body composition and start feeling confident again in the way your body looks, then I recommend having a plan of attack.
If you don’t want to hire a personal trainer to keep you accountable, schedule out at least a couple of meals on your own that you are going to eat during the day.
This takes the decision-making process out of the equation at mealtime and will leave you ultimately choosing the healthy option of food.
If you go out for lunch – great.
Make sure to look at the menu ahead of time and budget which meal is going to be the best choice for your personal caloric needs on your diet.
You can find out how much you should be eating on a diet here.
Or if you are doing some of the cooking yourself, plan out at least 2 meals that you will either make or pre-make.
That way, you don’t have to decide when you are hungry.
Because we often make bad decisions when we are hungry, so don’t let that happen.
The great thing about planning ahead of time is that if you budget your calories accordingly, you can still enjoy yourself with your friends and family around special meal times.
Nutritionist Kiley Demarco from Onehealthyhamptons furthers this point in one of her posts.
“Staying on top of it also allows for some ‘wiggle room’ when you want that ice cream cone, glass of wine, or burger.”
Weight Loss Accountability Strategy #3: Workout Intention
The last piece of advice I want to give to you for staying accountable on your diet involves maximizing your daily workout with pre-planned exercises.
I don’t want you to just go to the gym and mozy from machine to machine.
Every workout needs to be purposeful if you want to start looking and feeling better.
Especially if you are getting into your 40s and 50s.
You can’t put minimal effort into staying in shape as you did in your early 20s.
But the good news is, you can actually make bigger strides in your body composition and fitness if you pre-plan your workouts and make each workout count.
I have clients that are in their 40s and 50s that are stronger and leaner than they were in their 20s because they have a focused plan of attack.
They know which exercises are the right ones to perform and how to structure their workouts to maximize quality in the shortest period of time.
So before you get to the gym, make sure you know which exercises you are doing so you can get in and get out.
Okay guys thanks for tuning in, I hope these quick tips help you get started and help you stay accountable on your diet.
I know you have the capability of sticking to your diet, it’s just going to involve some planning.
If you need any help with your planning process, I’d be happy to help you if you reach out to me via email or in the comments below.
Cheers and we’ll see you next time!