Building a Fitness Accountability Group



Holding me accountable, my long-time friend and mentor Tanya
PF Changs Rock and Roll Marathon, 2011

 
How can we find ways to maintain fitness? Are there cost effective strategies to ensure we keep fitness a priority in our lives? I recently polled a number of women and asked what motivates them to go to the gym. I also asked them they would hire a trainer? By far, the answer was accountability. They stated they were motivated because they are paying a trainer who expects them to show up. That made a lot of sense to me. When I was working to get back in shape a trainer wasn't in the budget, but I always went to classes at my local gym. I got to know many of the girls in class, as well as the instructor, and when I didn't show up… people noticed. That motivated me to keep going.

 That begs the question, what can you do to stay motivated without hiring a trainer? My suggestion is to form a fitness accountability group. What's that? An accountability group is a group of people who serve to motivate you and hold you accountable for your time and effort. This idea can be adapted to any goal or profession.

Here are the steps to developing a successful accountability group.


1) Identify other individuals who might benefit from, or be interested in, joining the accountability group: Who has similar fitness interests as you do? Think outside the box and invite neighbors, members of your local moms groups, people from work who share your schedule, friends, parents from your child's class at school, Facebook contacts who live nearby, people you meet at social activities, teachers, and family members.

2) Contact a handful of people and present the idea: If you are shy, this can be tough. Keep this in mind as you go: The best way to make friends is by bringing people together; some of the most fulfilling experiences in life come from making friends. Pulling a group together can not only help you stay fit, but can also build lasting friendships. People like to be around motivated individuals, so put your goals out there for others. The simple fact of you saying, “I care enough to do this, and I'd like you to join me,” might be enough to encourage people to participate.



3) Come together: Set up a time to meet and establish the group's goals. Have each person identify their personal fitness interests and goals, and come prepared with a list of ideas on how to get in shape. Pick a few activities that work for the majority of the group and develop an implementation plan. Here are a few suggestions:

A) Online or at-home workout video series (e.g., P90X) http://www.beachbody.com/

B) Mall walking

C) Running at a local high school

D) Classes at gyms and local studios (e.g., pilates, kickboxing, yoga)

E) Swimming

F) Hiking, biking, or other outdoor activities

G) Tennis

4) Put together a schedule: Decide how often the group will meet. Assign each member a time when they are in charge of planning a fitness event. That member is responsible for arranging logistics, and sending out the event details as the date draws near.  Using evite http://www.evite.com/ as a way to facilitate this is one option.

5) Establish an online forum to hold each other accountable: One of the most motivating things in my fitness world is an online Facebook group of like-minded fitness people who post regularly. Although there are days when my inbox fills up with their messages, they are always inspiring. Encourage members to post their workouts and other thoughts that help motivate people in the group. This is also a great way to pose fitness questions, generate dialogue, and share information.



6) Plan time for fun! Bring the group together from time to time outside of your planned fitness activities. Remember, this group should serve not only to keep you accountable, but also to motivate you to do your best. Consider signing your group up for local, fitness-related charity events or volunteer activities. For example, a women's accountability group that runs regularly might consider sponsoring a girl through the organization, Girl's On The Run (http://www.girlsontherun.org/) for their December race. What a great way to be fitness-minded while giving back to the community!

Remember, there are a lot of ways to get in shape and stay there! Going to the gym with a trainer is one, but try and think outside the box on ways you can stay motivated and be held accountable. Most important, remember that what you do every day is more important than what you do occasionally, so incorporating fitness motivation and accountability on a daily basis will go a long way toward successfully meeting your goals.

If you have a good example of a fitness accountability group that works for you, I'd love for you to share it!