Do you have an accountability partner?

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)   Though one may be overpowered,  two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

I met my accountability partner in Houston, TX July 2010 when I first reached my goal weight.  Jenn Krogh lives in Wisconsin and I live in Pittsburgh, PA.   We Skype together every two weeks.    Each time we skype, I am thanking the Lord for technology that allows us to bridge the distance.  We live 660 miles apart, yet Skype allows us to be in the same room together.  Our hour time goes by fast as we laugh, cry, encourage, challenge and pray for each other.  I love the treasure God has provided through our friendship.

We are both blessed big losers.  She has gone before me, maintaining a 150-pound weight loss since 2001.  You can read her story beginning on page 133 in Carole Lewis' book First Place 4 Health.  This week as we skyped, we reminded each other of the hard work and battle we are in every day.  I wish I could say it is simple to keep off the weight.  No, it is work.   Tracking our food every day and strengthening our body with exercise is the work we do. We both agreed that the overriding key is to see our bodies as God’s temple. 

Jenn shared with me a blog by PINKHOPE on SparkPeople Blog, When You Don'tWant to Lose.   Pinkhope points out that when you ask most obese and very overweight people if they want to lose weight, they will quickly answer "yes". Often what they are saying "yes" to is BEING THINNER - the "result" of losing weight. If you take the phrase "losing weight" and expound the process, some will begin to have glazed eyes and their attention will wane.  WHY? The why is that they desire the result but don't want to do the "work" required to experience it.

PINKHOPE’s goal in writing the blog is twofold: First examine yourself, are you committed to do the WORK required to achieve the result? Secondly, be inspired to get busy and not WAIT until your health issues is the motivation. 

If you want help in achieving your goal, get accountability.  Ask the tough questions of each other.  

            What do you want?

            Why do you want it?

            Are you willing to do the work to get what you want?

What are you waiting for?  Get an accountability partner. Two are better than one.

Do you have an accountability partner? How are you helping each other?

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:  If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls   and has no one to help them up.   Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?   Though one may be overpowered,  two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.