No, I haven’t fallen “off the wagon” (we really need to come up with a more modern alternative to this saying, people. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never ridden in a wagon!).  I’m not struggling, although I’m sure my day (week, etc.) for that will come.  I don’t have a particular thing that I need help with.

But some of us do.  Right now, someone who reads this post is struggling and does need encouraging words and helpful ideas to get through a rough spot.  Perhaps there is someone reading this who hasn’t even taken their first step down the road to health and life, but they don’t know where to start, what to do, and where to go to find that information.

So for today, let’s make this blog that place.  I am going to share some of the practices and activities that most help me stay on track, and I’d really love it if you would do.  Let’s share ideas and encouragement  with each other – both the posters and the lurkers who haven’t quite come out of the shadows yet.

I’m going to categorize my list by daily, weekly, and longer-term activities.

Daily

1. Each morning, I do a naked morning weigh in (NMWI) before I get dressed.  I record that number in my spreadsheet that includes a note about that day’s caloric intake and workout.
2. Every morning, I also prepare and enjoy a healthy breakfast before I leave home.  Whether it’s oatmeal or eggs or even leftovers from last night’s (healthy) dinner, breaking my fast early and well is key to my success.
3. Before I leave for work, I pack all of my meals and snacks for the day in my cooler.  Yes, that’s right – I carry a cooler to work.  I used to be embarrassed by this, but not anymore.
4. Before I leave for work, I also pack a bright pink gym bag with my workout clothes and anything else I might need for the day’s workout.  I know myself, and if I have to come home to get dressed for the gym, chances are high that I will never make it back out the door.
5. I wear my BodyBugg and glance at it throughout the day.  This helps me stay motivated to go to the gym and also reminds me to get off my duff every now and then even while I’m at work.  So what if my water bottle isn’t quite empty; if I notice my numbers are super low, I’ll make an extra trip up the stairs to the water cooler.  Every little bit of movement helps.
6. I work out a minimum of 4 days/week, but usually 5 times/week.  I do strength training, I run, and I just discovered Zumba.
7. When I get home, I eat my planned evening snack and then “close the kitchen for the evening.”  I sit down and plan and track my meals and snacks and workout for the following day, getting everything I take with me in the mornings ready from the night before.
8. Most days, I write a blog post.  I can’t believe, really, how much this practice has contributed to my success and to the feeling that I’m being accountable.
9. Most days I also read and comment on a whole host of other weight loss/healthy living blogs.  It’s wonderful to know we are all in this together!
10. Several times per day, I review a list of the reasons why I want to lose weight, as well as a list of responses I can use when I am tempted to overeat or eat outside of the day’s plan.

Weekly

1. I go through my recipes, choosing several meals to cook for the week.
2. From the recipes, I start building my grocery list, adding to it the healthy foods I eat on a regular basis (more on this in a future post).
3. I head to the grocery store and Costco, if needed, to pick up all the foods I need to be successful at cooking and eating healthily that week.
4. I put together a workout schedule that takes into account the week’s goals.  Right now, I’m in Week 1 of the Base Phase of Rachel Cosgrove’s Female Body Breakthrough strength training program.  So I copy and prepare my workouts for the week in advance and stick them in my gym bag with my clothes and shoes.
5. I do my “official” weekly weigh in and do a weekly report or run-down post like this one.
6. I revisit my list of goals and rewards so I can see what I have to look forward to in the near future!
7. I revise, if necessary, my list of the reasons why I want to lose weight.  This list changes constantly for me.

Less Often

1. I try to take an hour or so every now and then to revisit my overall goals and the plan I have for reaching those goals.  My uncle always says that the difference between a dream and a goal is a “+plan”.  i.e., dream + plan = a goal achieved.  I want to achieve my goals, so I try to make this a priority.
2. I have my husband take progress photos of me on a monthly basis.  I’m not ready to post these publicly, but it provides accountability for me to know that I have them.
3. I also have my husband help me take my measurements on a regular basis.
4. I revisit my closet to try on my “skinny” jeans.  (Side note: I just got a pair of jeans buttoned Friday that I haven’t been able to wear in a couple of years!  Woot!)

Whew!  I could really go on and on, but I don’t want this to be all about me.  I want this post to be about you, friends.  So I have a favor to ask.

For those who are starting or struggling, please delurk long enough to post a question (or questions), anonymously if you wish, that you’d like us all to answer.

For anyone (struggling or not!) who has helpful tips to share, please do!  I’d love to know about the things y’all do that contribute to your success.

Edited for daily weigh-in: 251.6.  I’m annoyed, but whatever.