Accountability is defined as the “state of being accountable, liable or answerable”. A big reason why personal trainers are in demand is due to this reason. Personal Trainers give you a reason to come to the gym (you did pay for that session) and they also make sure that you give a 100% to your workouts (no half-hearted push-ups my dear) and they do question your eating habits (cookies or rice cake, what would my trainer do). 
As a result of having to answer to a trainer each week, we start to take positive steps toward reaching our fitness goals. Our consistency increases, our effort is enhanced and we are more aware of our eating habits. Over time this leads to success.
But what does one do if you don’t have a trainer or your budget cannot allow it anymore? All is not lost because we can be accountable to ourselves. This is easier said than done but this 3 step process to accountability may just do the trick.
1. Commit to the goal. Take out a piece of paper and write down your fitness goal and at least 3 reasons why it is important to you. Tape this piece of paper to a mirror you frequent in your home or your refrigerator door. This paper will be a constant reminder of why you started this fitness journey and can be very effective toward getting you on track at times when you start to waver.
2. Start a Food Diary. I have found food diaries to be extremely effective as they require you to confront your eating habits. Once you purchase your food diary write down your “ideal meal plan”. Then make it a habit to end your day by writing down everything you ate and drank. If you find more junk food in your diet, make changes to reduce the occurrence. If you find you are skipping breakfast, identify how you can incorporate this meal into your day. With a proactive attitude, your daily entries will soon start to look like the ideal meal plan.
3. Start a Fitness Journal. Similar to the food diary write down your ideal workout schedule (and routine). Use fitness journals and fitness websites to give you ideas. Each day write down your fitness activity and at the end of the week, give yourself a grade (A, B, C or Needs Improvement). 3-5 days a week is the recommended workout frequency to elicit a change in your body. As the weeks go by your grade should improve.
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