Accountability

Those of you who know me know that Bethany and I are extremely close. We have a tendency to be a little easier on each other than we would be with anyone else. To say we know how to manipulate each other is an understatement. Last year, I tried this whole follow a meal plan thing. I let her talk me in to it. She was doing it and thought it would be nice for us to do it together. She was WRONG! We were horrible at holding each other accountable. We would have a rough day and before we knew it, we were out stuffing our face.

It took me a long time to decide I was finally ready to try to eat right again. Bethany and I have had many conversations in the past year about me changing my diet. She kept telling me that I would drop weight like crazy if I would just eat right. I knew it would require discipline. I also knew I was going to have to have someone to hold me accountable who was not afraid to keep me on track, even if it meant making me angry. So, who could handle that job? Who would be willing to do and say whatever needed to make sure I stayed on track? It would have to be someone I trusted completely and someone who cared enough about me to forgive me when I was cranky. I was missing an accountability partner. Bethany and I had agreed that we were horrible accountability partners, so I had taken her off of the list.

She and I were standing in her kitchen talking about starting meal plans again and I brought up us holding each other accountable. We are together four days a week, it just made good sense for us to do this together. We agreed that we had to love each other enough to say no when it came to poor food choices. We had to make ourselves available every minute of every day, just in case we had a food emergency. We decided we needed to do this together. We needed to honor the effort that Misti (with Macros by Misti) was making to help us be the best we could be.

We check in with each other everyday. Weight reports, food reports, temptations, struggles...we are taking every step together. It is not easy. I don't always like to admit when I struggle, but she is always gracious. We pray together, we share tips, and we encourage each other. That's what friends are supposed to do.

I want to be someone who lives a life that honors the work Bethany has poured in to me. She doesn't have to push me to be better, she can be okay with who I am. I want to show her and Misti that I can drop the 50 lbs I promised them at Christmas. I want to prove to myself that I really can be successful when it comes to weight loss.

It is not easy. I am just trying to live the best life possible. I am trying to be as transparent as possible when it comes to my journey. If what I go through helps one person overcome an obstacle in their life, my struggle is worth it!

I remember the day I started my fitness journey. I was scared and thought I would never make it. That was over two years ago. I know so many people who doubt their ability and feel like they could never do what I do. I promise, if this is how you feel, you can do anything you set your mind to. Don't give up on the life you dream of. Don't stop believing that you are worth every ounce of effort you put in. You may not be successful every day, but keep going. I believe in you!

Be blessed!