How Accountability—and Effit—Made Fitness Stick for Me

Jade’s Transformation Story

After having my two boys, now 7 and 5, I spent years trying to lose the baby weight. I tried everything—fad diets, intense workouts, and even medications like Ozempic—but nothing seemed to work long-term. I’d always start strong, but before I knew it, I’d be back to my old habits.

The truth is, I’ve never been one of those people who loved exercise. For me, it always felt like a chore. While others would gush about their “post-workout high” or how much they needed their fitness routines, I just didn’t get it. That is, until my husband, Matt, and I started testing out a new app called Effit, and everything changed.

The Pact That Changed Everything

Here’s how it started: Matt and I set up a fitness pact through Effit. His goal was four workouts a week, while mine was three Pilates classes. The catch? If either of us missed a session, we’d owe the other $50.

At first, I thought, How hard can this be? Three classes a week? Easy. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.

In the very first week, I missed a Pilates class. And because Effit automatically tracks and holds you accountable, I had to transfer $50 to Matt. To say I was annoyed would be an understatement. I even made the payment reference “NEVER AGAIN” because I was so determined not to let it happen twice. That moment stung—not just because of the money, but because I hated letting myself down.

It was the wake-up call I needed.

From Chore to Lifestyle

After that first week, I made a promise to myself: no more missed classes. And since then, I haven’t missed a single one. Pilates went from being a chore I dreaded to something I genuinely looked forward to. It became my time to recharge, reset, and feel good about myself.

And the results? They’ve been incredible. So far, I’ve lost 8kg, and I feel stronger and more confident than I have in years. My clothes fit better, my energy levels are higher, and I’m finally feeling like myself again.

More Than Just Fitness

What I didn’t expect was how this little experiment with Effit would bring my family closer together.

Matt and I started encouraging each other instead of competing. We’d celebrate each other’s wins, laugh over the occasional missed session (yes, he’s missed a few now too), and support one another through it all.

Even better? Our boys started joining in. They saw us sticking to our goals and wanted to get involved. Now, weekends are spent running around the park together, turning fitness into a family activity. These moments—laughing, cheering each other on, and just being together—are memories I’ll cherish forever. Fitness has stopped being just about hitting goals; it’s become about creating time and space for connection.

Why Effit Works

Effit was the structure we needed to make all of this possible. The app took care of the logistics—tracking our goals, holding us accountable, and even managing the penalties—so we could focus on showing up.

But more than that, it made the process fun. From friendly banter over penalties to celebrating when we hit our streaks, Effit turned fitness into something we could enjoy together.

The Takeaway

Effit didn’t just help me stick to a fitness routine—it changed how I think about health, family, and showing up for myself. I’ve lost 8kg, I’m more confident, and I’m healthier than I’ve been in years.

If you’ve ever struggled to stay consistent or wondered how to make fitness a part of your life, accountability is the secret. And for me, Effit was the tool that made it happen.

And yes, Matt still teases me about that $50 payment from week one. But hey, I’ve kept my streak ever since—so who’s really winning now? 😉