In keeping with Havi Brooks’ latest (and I have to say, awesome) ritual of posting a personal ad each Sunday for all manner of things she needs, I am going to do the same.
I am looking for an Accountability Coach.
What is an Accountability Coach you ask? Well, let me tell you what I think it is.
First, some background. I need/want to lose weight. I’m tired of saying it. I’m tired of thinking it. I’m tired of having limited costume options and I’m tired of headaches, which I could probably cure if my structure wasn’t under the duress I’m placing on it.
I’m tired and I’m tired of being tired.
I have discovered I can lose weight if I pay attention. If I plan my meals and track my calorie intake and workouts it’s actually pretty easy.
So, of course I don’t do it.
Because it’s change and change is uncomfortable which in turn creates anxiety and resistance.
I need someone to be accountable to, to get me through that resistance to success.
I’ve tried working with a friend, but when you’re working on an uncomfortable change together what happens is that two weeks down the road, someone doesn’t call and then other doesn’t say anything because they’re actually glad they didn’t call because they ate a whole bag of Oreos and don’t want to tell anyone. I’ve also tried the friend that isn’t working on the same goal and two weeks down the road when I haven’t done the things I said I was going to the friend doesn’t take me to task in a nice non brow-beating way because that’s not how friends are with each other and the friend loves me no matter what I weigh.
I don’t need anyone to design a workout or an eating plan or any of that. I’m good with making the plans and doing the research. I’m just not good at executing the plan over time.
So, I’m looking for an Accountability Coach.
The Terms:
- I pay you a small amount (about $20 feels right to me) to check up on me weekly: review the goals from the previous week and make sure the goals are set for the next week. I think it would take 15-30 minutes weekly.
- Together we would come up with rewards for achieving my stated goals (like a pedicure!) and non-shaming punishments if I don’t (maybe I don’t get the computer for a day).
- I would also love it if we could also move into other areas where I could use some accountability like singing practice and laundry. I assume with the right person this would happen naturally.
Who this could be:
- You are probably a Virgo but I’m open to other astrological signs. (I jest! It’s just that writing that makes me laugh)
- Someone who’s just getting into being a coach or personal trainer and is looking for a client (albeit a somewhat unorthodox one).
- Someone who knows me and thinks they’re strong enough to face my resistance
- I’m open to surprises.
What I promise:
- To give you lots of practice at Resistance Whispering. What can I say, I produce resistance in industrial size quantities.
- Testimonials, tons of referrals, and perhaps a blog entry or two waxing eloquent about your awesomeness. Who doesn’t need that?
- My honesty. Even if I ate an entire tub of dill pickle dip.
I know my right person is reading this. If you think that’s you, leave me a comment. I’ll get your email address when you submit your comment and contact you directly.
What I don’t want is to be contacted by people that have a weight loss programme to sell. I don’t want to go the Jenny Craig, SureSlim, Weight Watchers, Dr. Bernstein, yada yada yada type routes. I know they work for some people. I guarantee you I’m not your right people.
Tentative Equinox North
Tentative Equinox 
I’m not your gal. I ate an entire tub of dill pickle chip this weekend too.
Definitely no weight-loss program to sell. But I am a fledgling coach, looking for experience and I love all flavors of resistance! Poking around your blog a bit- it looks like you might be one of my right people. I work mostly with moms and share a fascination with neurobiology. You can check out the first two posts in a series I’ve started called, “This is your brain on Children.” In any event- you’ve got a new subscriber!
My clients come to work with me for many reasons – all can be summed up as they are sick and tired of being sick and tired…. of something. They want to lose weight, they want to get married, they want to make more money, they want a life – you get the drift.
A newer coach may not have the ‘balls’ to hold you accountable to doing what you say you want to do to get the results you desire. They also may not have a proven system to help you stay focused and on track so you know where you are at against your goals at any given moment in time.
Good intentions don’t get results, gettin’ ready to get ready, doesn’t produce a desired outcome, posting a blog may get attention but doesn’t get you the accountability you need – but may not necessarily want.
Are you even coachable? Take the assessment at http://www.AccountabilityCoach.com and find out. There are many other free resources on this website to utilize before you decide to actually suck it up and hire a coach. Good luck. I hope you find what you need so you can achieve your weight loss goal and any other goals you may have along the way.
Hi Christina,
I found you by way of Havi and your personal ad really struck me. I am a somewhat fledgling coach, and one of the areas I’m most drawn to coaching relates to weight and wellness, because of my own journey and healing with some pretty disordered eating patterns. I’m not really interested in coaching people through a structured regimen, how many calories they eat or lunges they do. My overall philosophy is that our relationship with food and our bodies is a metaphor for our relationship with life, and that making peace has to do with dissolving some painful beliefs and changing stuck patterns. And that process is really about getting to know yourself better and by its nature requires and results in improving other areas of your life.
I can really relate and know this is a painful place to be, so regardless of what solution you choose, I wish you peace. And I also think the fact that you’re seeking means you’ll find it. All the best.
So, what you are doing is aproaching your weight loss in a practical manner. No fads. No nonsense. It should make sense. Good for you! If I hear “lose 20 pounds in 20 days!” one more time, I think I’ll lose my lunch (and that is really about the only way to lose that much weight so quickly).
I work in the natural health field doing research and writing. I have a good knowledge of how to maintain health through the diet. I am also a Registered Yoga Teacher. I will only offer my knowledge if you are seeking it, but it will reinforce the principles (and reasons) for achieving your goals, nonetheless.
I am detail-oriented, persistent, positive and genuinely interested in how people can become empowered by taking their health into their own hands. That is my inspiration. I look forward to reinforcing in you what you believe to be true. Let’s continue this dialogue…
Okay, I’m not very great at selling myself when I’m “talking into the ether”, I’m much more of a one-on-one person – so, give me a try :) Even if it’s just a ten-minute conversation.
I think that the insight and introspection you’ll gain from a coach is possibly the most important thing to your success – if you understand the barriers in place and why they are there – it will be much easier to get past them (If you can’t see your barriers, how will you get over/around/through them?)
I will hold you accountable – but I think that “punishments” should be constructive and positive; helping you to move forward towards your goals. If the price of your goals is challenging for you to pay, the solution isn’t to make the price of them greater – but to make the price easier to pay! (Or remind you how valuable your goals are)
Ahem, anyway :) Sorry for blathering on! Hope you get in touch, and good luck x :)
In the name of accountability, may I ask if this personal ad is working out for you? Did you follow thru? Find someone?
I don’t think I’d heard it called “Accountability Coach” before this – the concept is familiar to me and I hadn’t considered hiring someone for the job. (My dear loved ones just aren’t up to the task.)
Hi! I’m a lurker (guess that isn’t true anymore.) I’ve been reading since Havi mentioned you on her blog.
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Hello! I was researching accountability coaches to see what I would find and that is how I found you! Brilliant minds think alike, lol! I am in the process of setting up a program just like you laid out above. I would love to discuss this with you. I achieved my lifelong weight loss dream a couple of years ago and then somehow let it slip away. I am working my way back to it and decided to become an accountability coach because frankly what better way to hold myself accountable! I look forward to hearing from you.