Whether you want to eat healthier, become more active or quit smoking, you will need some support: from your family, your co-workers or trained professionals. And even though our expectations seem reasonable to us, others may see things differently.
For instance, you may want to eat healthier but your family may not be on board and in fact may consciously or unconsciously try to sabotage you. Remember, that in most cultures, food is love and changes to eating patterns can threaten long established social patterns. Conflict arises and you many fall back into old patterns to “keep the peace” so to speak.
Another scenario: you may want to become more active. You have an onsite fitness facility and you plan on working out on your lunch hour every day. Unfortunately, your co-workers and manager plan meetings that prevent you from working out on a consistent basis. For fear of professional repercussions, you give up on your goal.
So how do you stay on track with your goals when you appear to have minimal or no support? Here are some ideas for creating your own accountability network to help you move forward and stay on track.
Find yourself a workout/healthy eating buddy
This person should have the same or similar SMART goals as you. They should be someone who you know will be honest with you and hold you accountable. Same works the other way – this person should be able to receive feedback graciously from you.
Attend fitness classes
Fitness classes are a great way to workout if you’re a social person. It’s also a great way to be held accountable – by the instructor and by your classmates. If you don’t attend regularly, your instructor and classmates will notice. Our innate dislike of letting people down will motivate you to stay on track.
Join Weight Watchers or an online support group
Weight Watchers has been around more than 50 years because of the weekly weigh-in and meeting. The support of the like-minded members and the staff (all of whom have lost weight on the Weight Watchers program) will help you stay on track when things get challenging.
Hire a Personal Trainer; Life Coach; Nutritionist
If a group scenario is not your thing, hire a professional. A certified personal trainer can help you set your SMART goals and create a workout program for you. Sessions with a trainer can help you get started and keep you on track. As can using the services of a certified life coach or a certified nutritionist.
Seek out your EAP resources
Contact your EAP provider for information on resources available to you to help support whatever goals you may have.
For information on hiring a personal trainer in the Vancouver BC area, email personaltraining@curtishealth.com.
