Accountability, Embarrassment and Change OH MY!
Happy Monday!!! I want to talk about accountability this morning, and how you can make sure you stay on track for this week.
In the past I never liked to tell people when I was eating healthy or working out. Just in case I decided to stop, or fell off the wagon I didn't want people to see my failure. I didn't want people to ask me what happened to my new health kick, and know that I reverted back to my old ways so fast. For the longest I thought this was saving me from getting embarrassed but I realized instead it’s what was holding me back.
It wasn't until I started documenting my health journey and posting pictures on Instagram that I finally stuck to a plan. By publicly documenting my progress and making it known to people what I was doing I started to hold myself accountable. I knew if I posted a “Before” picture I would be determined to stay on track, so that I could post an “After” picture. I also knew if every Wednesday I posted everything I ate, I would be more likely to eat food that was good for me.
Inadvertently I was using my Instagram to hold myself accountable and it worked! Now if I was to sit here and say I wasn't nervous and embarrassed to put myself out there it would be a lie. I didn't want people to know I had let myself go, I also didn't want people seeing my problem areas and judging me. But then one day a light bulb went off in my head. Why am I embarrassed to show people that I'm being healthy? Why am I embarrassed to show people that I'm trying to live my life right? That's absolutely nothing to be ashamed about. I was too worried about being embarrassed that I wasn't holding myself accountable. I was caring more about what other people thought, and was letting that dictate how I took care of myself. Sitting here typing that out is crazy to me. I was caring more about what others thought about me than what I thought about myself!
I was the reason why I was failing, and as difficult as it was to admit, it wasn't until I realized this that I was able to change. I had to first:
Get over being embarrassed, there was nothing for me to be embarrassed about, and I should never let anyone make me feel bad for trying to improve myself.
I also had to Hold myself accountable. Taking responsibility for myself and making sure I stuck to what I was going to do was very important. Once I did those two things I was able to succeed.
Embarrassment and Accountability probably are two big factors that people struggle with when trying to crossover to a healthier lifestyle, but they are two things that once you do figure out how to get past them you will see a huge difference in our progress.
I challenge everyone today to do one thing that will increase their accountability. Whether it’s posting a before picture, or everything you ate today. Or, if it’s finally letting it be known publicly that you’ve decided to make a change. Don’t let the opinion of others get in the way of you being a better person.
XOXO
-@TheAntoinetteG
