community talks
Project Zero
by Sasha Reddy
Accountability
Accountability
is a hallmark
of many fitness
and nutrition
programs that
we all have
experienced
during the
ubiquitous
search for
control over
our own
behavior.
by Jean Youkers
In my life, I have found myself far more likely to show
up for HAC classes or exercise walks if I've promised
friends that I would appear. I'm much better at watching
my calorie count if I know I must weigh in at HAC,
Weight Watchers, or the doctor's office. In my doctor's
words, reporting in to him is like a visit to "the principal's
office." Having breakfast with a friend who's a registered
dietitian effectively ensures that I won't indulge in
scones or bagels that day.
We cannot achieve our fitness goals in a vacuum
without keeping track of progress and reporting it to
encouraging others - trainers, instructors, doctors and
friends! Accountability means being answerable or
responsible for your actions. It's a tad like peer pressure,
but it is a form of positive pressure that pushes us gently
toward our goals. Our peers become our cheerleaders.
It has been reassuring to sign up for Project Zero,
HAC's holiday weight challenge, for the past two years.
I felt it added another layer of surveillance to help save
me from myself during the avalanche of cookies and
related temptations of this most vulnerable time of year.
Besides the incentive of making a good showing
at the periodic weigh-ins at HAC, the whole program
turned out to be supportive. At the first weigh-in, I was
in a panic fearing that my weight would be recorded in
some observable location, such as upon an enormous
billboard high above I-95. However, these fears
were unfounded as the trainer charting my progress
never said any numbers out loud, nor could anyone
else observe the scale. At the end of my first holiday
challenge, I was excited that I had not gained any
weight. In fact, I had lost a couple of pounds. Before
Project Zero was available, I never could have done it. I
felt empowered.
While slogging my way through the chill of wintry
days without giving in to food or slacking off on my
regular HAC routine, I often pondered how grateful I
was for such wonderful programs that offer guidance
with compassion, never making us feel pressured or
judged!
enhance magazine | JANUARY 2018
35