This right here. This is either massively overlooked by people or just plain ignored. You always here the advice to do it for yourself, it doesn't matter what others think. And if you're not exclusively doing it just for yourself, you'll never be happy or able to maintain it. I disagree. Like you, if you put a promise out there into the world, there's a level of "Now I can't screw this up or they'll really believe me again" that is a strong motivator.

I've done this at work, only not with fitness. At my school where I teach, I walked into the principal's office last year and announced my plan to start a literary magazine for kids. I laid it all out to her and she said it sounded great. Lo and behold, I delivered on time because I frankly HAD to or I'd look like an asshole.

Anyway, another good article. Keep up the good work! And good luck on your fitness journey.