Strength in Accountability

On a recent episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast (Episode 269), she interviewed a doctor who said every woman should aim to be able to do 11 push-ups, not on your knees, but full push-ups with straight legs. That really stuck with me. It reminded me of something I wrote about in a previous newsletter: Why One Size Fits All Fitness Plans Fail Women in Perimenopause and Menopause. Our bodies change, our needs change, and what matters most is finding the movements that keep us strong and consistent over time.

Not long after that, a client on my health program asked me to be her accountability partner for push-ups. She had knee replacement surgery and can’t do everything, but she wanted to stay active in the ways she can. She gave herself a challenge, and me along with it, to get to 20 push-ups by the end of August.

Here’s the truth, I never officially accepted the “20 push-ups” challenge. What I did accept was the accountability. My partner and I text each other daily about how many push-ups we do, and that consistency has kept me going. I’ve been doing push-ups every day, even getting down on the floor of where I was staying in Charleston to get them in. I can do more than 11 now, which honestly surprised me, but 20 still feels intimidating.

That’s how I’ve always been with exercise. If it feels too hard, I won’t stick with it. That’s why when I first did Peloton’s Tunde Arm Challenge, I only used three-pound weights for what felt like forever. It wasn’t until that felt easy that I moved up to heavier weights.

My accountability partner hit 20 push-ups before me, which is amazing, but I’m okay with my pace. Because here’s what I know... this isn’t a race. It’s about getting stronger, staying consistent, and finding what works for you. Accountability partners are powerful for that. Research even shows that people with an accountability partner are up to 65% more likely to reach their goals, and the odds go even higher when you check in regularly.

So whether it’s push-ups, drinking more water, or simply sticking to your health plan, find someone who will encourage you and keep you honest. It makes all the difference.