This week, we are exploring one of my favorite subjects: Accountability Partners. What is an accountability partner? By definition an accountability partner (or small group) is someone you work with to create goals, checking in regularly to help ensure that you’re each following the plan. No matter how much you want to improve your fitness, it’s easy to find excuses to skip days. I actually have several accountability partners, my dad, my husband, the Yes.Fit challenges actually provide a type of accountability AND of course Loki and Thor are my 4-legged accountability partners.

Studies have shown that accountability partners help gear you towards success because you feel literally accountable for what you do and how you do it when you check in.  You are less likely to give up.  They are also a form of motivation, they keep you going when you are feeling off or down and they are cheerleaders when you are doing well/great.  There are a lot of benefits to having an accountability partner.

You are also less likely to cancel any plans for a workout with an accountability partner because it’s easier to cancel if it is just you, but to cancel for two people is just hard mentally. Which leads you to be more loyal and committed to the workout plan.

Now, let’s look at who you choose to be your partner?  Let me start by telling you my own little story, as you know we have a third pet Zorra, who is retired from running/coaching.  For about 10 years she was my accountability partner, I could and would take her running up to 5 miles, she was happy and loved the runs and being with me.  I chose her to be my partner and my motivation to not cancel on our runs was I wanted to see her happy and living her doggie life to the full-ness. 

As a matter of a fact Zorra also helped train me for my first marathon, my parents would drop her off mid run to meet with me, then they would drive to my next water stop/checkpoint to pick her back up.  Then my dad would join me for the end of the run.

That brings me to my next accountability partner, my dad. He got me motivated and running. I have been doing it for over 26 years, and when I was down and at my worst, he wanted to run more to help me with my stress and anxiety to make me feel better. We have always been there for eachother that way.

Next is my husband, he actually chose me to be his accountability partner. I make sure he gets to the gym and we work out together so we know that we are staying on track together. This actually has been happening since before we were married.  I motivate him and it’s a way for us to spend time together.  I also find small motivators to keep him moving like when we do walks at our favorite park.

Finally of course now Coach Thor and Loki,  they of course are accountability partners.  Loki has taken over the void that Zorra has left me when Zorra decided she didn’t want to run anymore (Zorra actually decided she didn’t want to run, the vet actually thinks Zorra is younger than she is, that is how healthy she is).  Loki looks forward to the runs and keeping me moving and being my protector.  She actually makes me feel bad when I don’t go for a run with her.  As for Thor, he is my walking partner, being an indoor cat, it’s a nice stimulation for him to walk with him outside on my back, he gets the fresh air and doesn’t act like a crazy kitty all the time.

So as you can see, finding the right accountability partner depends on what you are looking for at the time. I have several all for different reasons, you don’t just need an accountability partner and you don’t need to have one for just one reason.  Just remember they are there to keep you on track and motivated through your workouts.

Who keeps you moving and motivated?  What do you look for in an accountability partner?