A Silver Bullet?

No. There is no silver bullet. No magic potion, or quick fix.

But this week’s topic is about as close as you are going to get.

A few weeks ago we talked about The Pareto Principle in which 20% of our actions lead to 80% of our results.

This is definitely a 20% activity.

What is it?

Accountability.

A study by the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) found that the probability of completing a goal if:

You have an idea or goal = 10%

You consciously decide you will do it: 25%

You decide when you will do it: 40%

You plan how you will do it: 50%

You commit to someone you will do it: 65%

You have a specific accountability appointment with a person you have committed to = 95%.

95%? Are you kidding me?

Accountability is the secret to all great recovery programs, businesses, schools, and habits.

We can’t do it alone. Nor should we.

So how does this play out practically in nutrition. Pretty easily actually.

#1 Log your food

Log everything you eat. Don’t worry about being exact. In fact, if you are too exact it may deter you from continuing (I mean who wants to measure out everything they eat?) It should take you no more than 5-10 minutes total each day.

There are plenty of apps to choose from. I like MyFitnessPal or LoseIt.

Or, just write down everything you eat on paper...the key is EVERYTHING...even that surprise donut that somehow ended up on your desk.

#2 Find a Friend or Friends

Share your log, daily, with at least one person.

Ideas:

A. Text or email a friend your log each day. They can send you theirs too.

B. Start or Join a Social Media Group where you share your logs.

C. Hire a coach.

D. Share it with me if you want! Seriously. mark.flancbaum@gmail.com

It’s really that simple. I have seen the power of this in my own life and in the lives of the clients I coach.

Why does logging work?

1. It increases your self awareness of what you put into your body.

2. It increases your accountability.

Try it out. I think you'll be grateful you did...one-minute at a time.