I should write a book on this, but I don't have time due to my Real Estate career.

You've all heard the obvious: 1)Watch your diet, 2)Excersize Regularly, etc. Seems like common sense to me.

How many of you have started a diet/excersize program and did it for a while, but just didn't keep it up? Said it was too tough, or you "just fell out of the routine." Well if you could do it once (and didn't fall dead) then you can very well do it again,......and again........and again...until it's the norm. That takes awhile, but it WILL happen.

Well there's no need for me to keep the secret that MAKES IT WORK any longer. Here it is: ACCOUNTABILITY! That's it. It's that simple.

Humans are social beings by nature. Would you agree that it's easier to do something as a pair, group, team, etc. with the same goals to meet those goals personally? Sure it is. Just think about that for a while.

Just finding 1 partner who is serious about it may not be the trick though. I suggest a small group of about 5 people who STAY ON EACH OTHER EVERY DAY. Each person in the group should call at least 2 of the group members everyday to discuss what they did that day. If you didn't hold up your end of the bargain, you'll be embarrassed and less likely to slip for awhile. Also, if someone else slips and you "did" what you were supposed to do, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment.

You can even get with a local radio station to team up with them to raise money for a charity...like "Drop Pounds for Habitat" "Or Jog for Life....etc." Do you think you'd feel a sense of accountability there? The bottom line is if either you actually want to lose weight and get in shape or are just "toying around with the idea." If you're super serious, these things WILL work.

Again folks,,,this WORKS! I'm not a rocket scientist, but I've got tons of experience in this area. I spent over 10 years working with college and professional athletes. The things they do are "together" and each teammate pushes the next. They will admit to you right now that they could have NEVER done it by themselves. Although some can,,,,it's rare.

Well, there's the "super secret" and the lesson for today. I'm here to help, so please email me with any questions you may have: hotdawg16@yahoo.com (use MousePlanet in the subject line).

Good luck! I wish you each the very best!

UGAMouse

I've got another answer:

Play the MouseAdventure Invitational. I swear I must be down 10 pounds in just one day. ;)

Maybe once I have that Nanny, that housekeeper, and that personal chef, oh and I almost forgot, that personal trainer it will sound as simple as you make it...oh and I almost forgot one additional thing...when I do not have to work full time. :)

I've been thinking about your post, UGA Mouse. The motivation has to come from within for the change to last, don't you think?

Re: losing pounds for charity. I've heard of people postdating a check to the worst cause they can think of, one they never want to get a dime. For me, that would be the Republican Party. I would write them a check for an amount I consider obscene and postdate the check. If I don't lose X by that date, I have to send the Republicans their loot.

I also have the secret, if you send me a thousand dolllars you to can have the secret NOT !!
The only secret is to step away from the food!

We all make jokes....but my method works for the majority of the people who get involved. Yeah, the motivation DOES have to originate from "within", but I'm tired of hearing people cry about being overweight and out of shape, but fail to act. If you want to do it, then do it. But inevitably you have to live with your ultimate decision if you don't try anything, and rot away and whining about it the whole time.

It's like anything else.....You have to work for what you want. That's why I laugh hardily at the "pills" they try to sell that makes unwanted pounds "vanish." And yep, people buy them. Unreal.

Just finding 1 partner who is serious about it may not be the trick though. I suggest a small group of about 5 people who STAY ON EACH OTHER EVERY DAY. Each person in the group should call at least 2 of the group members everyday to discuss what they did that day. If you didn't hold up your end of the bargain, you'll be embarrassed and less likely to slip for awhile. Also, if someone else slips and you "did" what you were supposed to do, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment

I went to tops and we called each other, tops is a good place to start, great folks and great motivation. weekly meetings and fun games and contests!

Can we say TOPS or Weight Watchers?

The way I see it, accountability isn't the answer, but one ingredient in the recipe, along side the more important ingredients of motivation, nutrition, and exercise. For many people accountability can help to feed motivation. It helps keep you focused and on the right track. And for some it can be more fun to do things in groups instead of trying to tackle it alone.

And while UGA Mouse started out with what looks like a lot of boasting and a tagline for a late night infomercial, I don't see him offering to sell anything or start a never-before-heard-of program. He's just sharing information, although arguably incomplete.

Really knowing a good reason to be fit rather than just looking good, impressing so and so, or gaining prestige is something some people never get past.

Really knowing a good reason to be fit rather than just looking good, impressing so and so, or gaining prestige is something some people never get past.

I agree with this...most people want to lose weight to LOOK better, not to just be healthier. That is my goal...just to be healthier...I know I will lose weight doing that but my goal is to be around for many years for my children and future grand children.