Accountability the game changer - what i wish i knew - part 5
What is Accountability?
I asked AI to define it (because, why not?) and it said:
“Accountability means being responsible for your actions, decisions, and their outcomes. It involves:
• Owning your commitments
• Answering for results – good or bad
• Being transparent – especially about mistakes
• Being reliable – following through on what you say”
Alright, this post has taken me a while to get out. Why? Simple. I didn’t hold myself accountable.
Ever started a new diet or workout routine with all the motivation in the world, only to fizzle out a few weeks later? Yeah, me too. More than once. And a massive part of that was a lack of accountability.
Whenever I tried to start a diet in the past, I didn’t tell anyone. That way, if I bailed, no one would know. No pressure. No guilt. Just me quietly failing and moving on like it never happened. Sound familiar?
I used every excuse in the book:
“I didn’t sleep well, I’ll skip the gym today.”
“It’s been a stressful day, I deserve a takeaway.”
“No one will know I ate this giant bag of chocolate buttons.”
The truth? I couldn’t hold myself accountable. So I found someone who could.
Getting a Coach Changed Everything
Back at the tail end of the COVID lockdowns, I knew I needed to get back to the gym. But I was anxious. New gym, new equipment, no idea where anything was—stupid things like where’s the water fountain? Do I need a padlock or a coin for the lockers?
I’ve had personal trainers before, so I thought, why not ease back in with a PT? Someone to show me the ropes and take the pressure off.
So, I picked a coach off the gym wall—and honestly, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
What I didn’t realise at the time was that this coach ran a full 12-week program. He provided a weekly 1:1 sessions, a training and nutrition plan and weekly check-ins with progress photos and measurements.
Before that, I’d never stuck to a plan for more than six weeks. Since then? It’s been three years of consistency—and those weekly check-ins were a massive reason why…. I’m still with that coach by the way.
Why It Worked (for me)
Knowing I had to report in each week—share what I ate, what I lifted, and how I was progressing—kept me from veering off track too far.
Sure, there were moments where I’d “eat like a dick” (as we now like to call it), and my coach didn’t hesitate to give me a bit of a bollocking. And I needed it.
But here’s the thing: accountability started externally, with the coach, but over time, it turned inward.
Even now, while I still work with that coach, I’ve realised I can hold myself accountable. I could lie on check-ins, or stop checking in altogether—but I don’t.
I know when I’m trying to justify bad decisions. I catch myself now. I get up for the gym even when I don’t feel like it. That mindset didn’t happen overnight—it was nurtured.
Honestly, I think of it like those sticks you put next to a plant to help it grow straight. I’m the plant. The coach was the stick. (I clearly don’t know much about gardening, but you get the idea.)You don’t need a coach but you do need a support system
You do not need to hire a coach - but you do need to get a support system
You Don’t Need a Coach, But You Do Need Support
Hiring a coach worked for me—but it’s not the only way to build accountability into your journey. If you struggle to stay on track alone, here are a few options to consider:
1. Hire a Pro
A coach, PT, dietitian, nutritionist, therapist—even an “accountability coach.” If you can afford it, this can be a game-changer.
I didn’t have much money when I started, which made me value the service more—I didn’t want to waste the cash by half-assing it.
2. Find an Accountability Buddy
This could be a partner, friend, family member, or workmate—someone who knows your goals and isn’t afraid to give you a nudge (or a kick) when needed.
Just a word of warning here: choose carefully. Sharing your goals can feel vulnerable, especially if you’ve spent years hiding habits.
Pick someone supportive, not someone who’ll judge or make you feel worse. And be mindful—a relationship can get strained if your progress (or lack of it) becomes the main topic of conversation.
3. Keep a Log
Tracking everything—food, workouts, sleep—can help massively.
Be brutally honest with yourself. Logging that full pack of biscuits might be uncomfortable, but sometimes that discomfort is enough to stop you eating them in the first place.
You can do this with something as simple as pen and paper or the notes app in your phone. There are so many tools and apps out there that can help too, calorie counter apps can be great for this (but be wary of the accuracy of the data within it).
There are apps that will remind you and gamify this journey. I’m an Apple fan boy and the first year I was obsessed with closing my loops (if you have an Apple Watch you know) - this kept me accountable as I didn’t want to break
4. Share Your Journey
Whether it’s TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, a blog, or even a private journal—sharing your goals can be powerful.
You don’t need to be an influencer. Just the act of putting your thoughts out there, even to a small group, can keep you accountable.
That’s been a big part of why I started this blog, and my socials too (shameless plug).
Knowing someone might be watching, reading, or finding inspiration from my journey—that’s what keeps me moving forward on the tough days.
Final Thoughts
Accountability isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up—even when it’s hard.
Whether you build it through a coach, a mate, a spreadsheet, or sharing your story online—what matters is finding a way that works for you.
If you keep quitting and don’t know why—this might just be your missing piece.