There’s a famous saying in the medical world: “Compliance is 90% of the cure.”
In simpler terms that means if you stop doing something, it isn’t going to help you.
That holds true for everything in life, whether you’re taking a medicine prescribed by a doctor, working towards a financial goal, or doing what all of us are doing right now at the beginning of 2021: Trying to lose weight and get in shape.
You have to keep working to see results.
Is there a diet that is guaranteed to succeed?
Yes! The diet that is guaranteed to succeed is the one you stick to (as long as the diet is safe).
The problem is not finding a diet, it’s sticking to it.
So, how do I stay on track?
That’s the golden question, right? And it’s a tough one to answer. Luckily, recent scientific research has uncovered a simple secret to sustained weight loss, and it has nothing to do with the food itself.
The secret is accountability
Accountability is the fancy word that means surrounding yourself with help, not trying to do it alone, using tools to help you stay consistent, and building a team around you that will keep you from quitting.
You can be accountable to yourself in hundreds of ways like weighing everyday, keeping a food journal, recording your lap or run times, or taking a daily picture of yourself.
You can also use other people to promote accountability. You can enlist a friend as an accountability partner and work out together, or you can join an online group or even a text chat where you all keep each other honest.
When we’re accountable to others, the data shows that we lose more weight and keep it off longer. One large scale study (1) showed that those who kept a food accountability journal (they wrote down what and when they ate) while dieting lost twice as much as those who didn’t.
Another study found (2) that for women, being accountable to others was the most critical component of weight loss success.
So how can I create more accountability?
We’ve already mentioned a few personal options. Things like keeping a food journal, or weighing daily. But the true power of accountability is unlocked by bringing in other people. Let people know what you are trying to accomplish, and let them help you. You can get a workout buddy, or use an app where you share each other’s scores. You can even join an online group or weight loss challenge.
Take a look at our SR Diet:
You can do it. But, more importantly, you can KEEP doing it. If you rely on others to hold you accountable, they won’t let you down.
Let’s make 2021 the year where we finally make it happen.
Your friends at Santo Remedio
