Building Blocks

I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I used to serve as group leader for my local TOPS chapter.  Once upon a time, I thought weight loss groups had to have a leader who'd lost the weight and kept it off for years -- a perfect example to follow.  But when I loved the group yet the current leader did nothing more than pull out TOPS leader pamphlets to read out loud to us, I decided to volunteer the next time the leader job came open.  I had a hunch that it wouldn't be the blind leading the blind because getting on a permanent healthy track has so many pieces to it.  I'd just spent a few months listening to the other women talk about their strengths and weaknesses, their paths up and down.  Each one of us had part of the puzzle figured out while at the same time each of us had aspects we were still working on.

I got intrigued by the idea of how different each person's get-healthy journey can be, so one of the first things I did as leader was jot down words I repeatedly heard flying around as the group talked.  I printed up the list and brought it in.  As we discussed the list, it became clear that even if we wanted basically the same results, getting there wasn't going to involve the same path for everyone.  So I asked everybody to pick the ten items from the list that affect their healthy living the most.  What helps you get on track or stay on track?  What motivates you?  What are the triggers that cause weight gain or relapse?

Flash forward.

It has been a few years since I made that list, but I got to thinking about it over the past week.  My tot son and I took turns having poor sleep for a few nights.  As I got more tired, I watched a lot of my healthy efforts fall apart.  Once everybody in the house was rested again, I had to work hard to get back on track.  Sleep is one of my healthy living keys and something I must defend at all costs.  I can't help it when my toddler decides to go through a sleep bump, but I can make it my business to go to bed on time and to nap when he naps.

What are the ten most important pieces to you?  (Are there others not listed here?)  If you wrote those ten on wooden blocks that built a "healthy tower," which three or four pieces would be the foundation?

Appreciating food

Appreciating nature (inspiring you to go exercise)

Clean/orderly house

Cooking regularly

Daily/weekly weighing

Eating slowly

Exercise

Faith

Fiber

Food repertoire (developing a go-to list of healthy recipes/meals)

Food sheet (keeping track of what you eat)

Fresh air (motivation to exercise)

Friendship/camaraderie 

Fun (as motivation)

Gratitude

Group weight loss program

Journaling

Keeping routines

Limiting caffeine (or carbs, fats, salt, sugar, treats, etc.)

Managing holidays/parties/weekends

Managing loneliness

Managing stress

Meditation

Mindfulness 

Motivation

New routines/novelty

Organization

Overcoming laziness

Prayer

Self-awareness

Shopping well (for healthy foods)

Sleep/rest

Strength training

Stretching

Support from others

Time management

Water/hydration

After some mulling, I decided that these are my ten building blocks:
cooking regularly, exercise, journaling/blogging, mindfulness practice (spirituality), actively rejuvenating my motivation, organization, sleep, stretching, time management, and water/hydration.

If I had to build a tower with them, the foundation blocks would be sleep, mindfulness, and exercise.  When I have those three in place, the rest fall into place much more easily.

Now I have a better idea what my specific weight loss journey from here and now will entail.