Do you reward yourself?

AriesGal329

I have been setting up rewards for myself for motivation. When I lose 5 pounds I get to have a massage. When I lose the next 3 pounds after that, I get to buy a new outfit. And so on...does anyone else do this? I find it very motivating!

kommodevaran

I have always considered it, but never got around to it. I realize now that it would have been all wrong for me - eating well, moving every day, taking care of my health should be something I just do, nothing out of the ordinary, and something that in itself feels good, no need for an outside reward, it could in fact have backfired and made me stop doing what I was doing when I hit "goal".

Spending time/money on something I want, that would have been impossible while buiyng/eating junk all the time, well that is something else. I like to buy better food and nicer clothes.

chelllsea124

I pretty much have the same reward... i buy new clothes! lol!

vespiquenn

I always considered it as well, but then my goals shifted away from weight loss and turned into harder to measure goals in fitness. I always told myself I would get a tattoo when I got my goal weight.. but that was almost ten years ago when I had an unhealthy goal in mind. I still want my tattoo though.. so who knows haha.

If rewards work for you, go for it. I especially like clothing based ones because there's less risk of slip backs. You're less likely to slip into old habits if it means not fitting into a new wardrobe. I personally know that with no intrinsic goals, I would stop after an extrinsic reward. It's probably the only area of my life that I'm completely self-motivated. But it all boils down to what works best for you and achieving your goals.

perkymommy

I just buy new clothes once I start to lose noticeable weight. I might do something different once I lose my first 10 lbs this time around but I don't know what lol.

combsshan

My company gave me my reward. If you hit 4 of 6 benchmarks on a biometric screening(stuff like weight, waist measurement, blood pressure, cholesterol) you get an $80/month discount on your insurance premiums. If my husband and I both pass, that's basically a $160/month raise for us.

bruby28

I wish I could more often , but gets expensive $ . I do on longer goal achievements like 20 lbs etc . My weight fluctuates by 4 lbs every day . I usually reward myself with a beer lol

folgers86

Too poor I focus on the smaller things like "oh! I can have ice cream today!"

85Cardinals

Sometimes I congratulate my feet, cause they're kicking fat's *kitten*!

Need2Exerc1se

I did not do that when I was losing.

busyPK

I reward myself every 10lbs or so. Usually new clothes, new workout pants or shirt or tennis shoes. Nothing too big, but things I do need as I continue to drop weight.

JeromeBarry1

When I make a new low in progress toward my goal, I get to do it again.

MrsPinterest34

I've been thinking of how to reward myself when I make it to my final goal. I want to participate in the Disney Marathon next year. Hopefully I hit my goal by end of the year, just before the annual Christmas party at my job. It's a big expensive event with over 1500 in attendance. I'm buying an expensive dress at this high end boutique that's close to my job to wear to the event. So my reward is looking phenamonal at the Christmas party

JessicaMcB

During loss phase no. I am seriously considering getting tattooed after my 50 miler in October though...

gerla_k

I reward myself for every 5kg lost I buy new workout clothes:)))

Seffell

I've heard it helps some people but I can't understand it at all.
For me the reaward is the weight loss. Why isn't it for you?

becky10rp

I typically invest the money back into things that make my workout more enjoyable: new running shoes, clothes, hairbands, music-related things (Just got myself a new Bluetooth speaker).

malibu927

I bought a ring when I hit 50 pounds lost, that was it. I work in a women's clothing department, so I pretty much buy things if I like them/they fit/I can afford them

MoyMG

I have some rewards planned; when I hit my next major milestone, I'm getting a facial. This is not something I do regularly, so it's a little extra impetus to keep logging, tracking water, exercising, etc.

kathilynne3410

that is a good one too

LynnJ9

I recently got serious about losing weight (again), I realized that I not only had been neglecting my weight, I have been neglecting many other things about my appearance. So I made up these goals:
After my first 10 pounds: I started having my hair professionally dyed again, including highlights, and a great new haircut. I had been avoiding the Hair salon because I did not want to look at myself in the mirror that long.
After my second 10 pounds, I am going to get botox again around my eyes and forehead. I think my thinner face will look younger and really add to that youthful look with less wrinkles!
After my third 10 pounds, I am going to start getting manicures and pedicures again. I will be able to see my feet much better at that point, so I want them to look good.
After my fourth 10 pounds, I am going to get a bikini wax. I have never done that before, but, I am hoping I will want to be out by my pool more, and will feel comfortable in a skimpier swimsuit, so....
And of course when I get to my last 7 pounds it will be time to pull out all the Ann Taylor, Dillards and Macy's gift cards I have been saving over the last 4 years and buy myself a new wardrobe.

TimothyFish

If I weigh less than 208 I get to ride my bicycle to a pancake house for breakfast.

Purplebunnysarah

I buy clothes that are slightly too small when I feel like rewarding myself.

Machka9

I lost weight in order to be able to do my long distance cycling again ... so I rewarded myself by taking on long distance cycling events and other cycling challenges.

tomteboda

I honestly feel that losing weight has generally been its own reward anyway. I don't know that everyone else thinks so, and many people do much better with goals and rewards. For me, getting my weight was part of my effort to live a healthy, well-balanced life now and in the future.

I live my life, and take care of myself physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually as a matter of maintaining overall wellness. That means I buy new clothes because I need them (or just want a specific piece or outfit). I will indulge in a night out because I want to spend time with friends or see a show, not because I lost weight. I will buy new equipment for my hobbies because it fits in my budget and with my goals.

I try to enjoy things simply because I can, not because I reward or punish myself. I don't want to have self-worth dependent on my weight ever again, something I've struggled with greatly in the past.

sczoo26

This probably sounds terrible but I reward myself with a drink (alcoholic) but still within my cals

Lillymoo01

Losing the weight and inprovement in health is reward enough.

AllyG47

I wasn't going to do rewards but a few weeks ago, my motivation was lacking and I was on the verge of giving up so I set up a few rewards. It has actually helped me stay on track when I seriously wanted to give up (I really, really want a Fitbit). I set up 4 rewards based on every 18.4 lbs lost. I got this number by taking the amount I need to lose to get to goal and dividing it by 4. My rewards are expensive but I figure it's worth it to keep me motivated. They are:

205.2 lbs - Home Spa Day - I work from home so when I reach this weight, I will take an entire day off work and light some candles, put on some relaxing music, take a bath, use a face mask, paint my nails, watch a fun movie and allow myself an alcoholic drink and popcorn with butter. I actually hit this goal number today but I'm waiting for Monday's weigh-in to make it official. I'll probably do my spa day in a few weeks - I have to schedule it around my roommates work schedules as one roommate is on a rotating shift - I want the house to be completely empty so I can really relax.

186.8 lbs - Fitbit Charge 2 - I currently have a cheap Striiv fitness band that my parents gave me for Christmas last year, which works fine, but I've always wanted a Fitbit. I bought a Charge 2 when it was on sale last week but I'm not allowing myself to use it until I get to this weight.

168.4 lbs - Samsung Galaxy S8 - My current phone is 4 years old so I think it's time for a new one. The S8 looks awesome. Not sure if I'll be able to afford it but I figure that if I save a little each week, I should have enough money by the time I reach 168.4 lbs to buy it. Maybe I can get a discount on Black Friday - assuming I get close to this weight by then.

150.0 lbs - New Clothes - This is my ultimate goal weight. I plan on buying an entire new wardrobe of stylish clothes. I'm going on vacation to New Orleans in February so I'm hoping I reach goal right before then so I can buy some cute vacation clothes.

I would also like to get a tattoo when I get to goal. If I get to goal before I go on vacation in February, maybe I can get a tattoo while in New Orleans. That would be a cool souvenir.

AllyG47

gebeziseva wrote: »

I've heard it helps some people but I can't understand it at all.
For me the reaward is the weight loss. Why isn't it for you?

Because I have lost 20 lbs so far and honestly don't feel or look any different. My clothes fit exactly the same and I look the same when I look in the mirror (although my face is a little less puffy). It doesn't feel like a reward, especially when I don't allow myself to eat my favorite high calorie treats (I allow myself treats but they are often low-fat/low-calorie versions of my favorites which aren't the same) and I force myself to exercise when I really don't want to. I'm sure weight loss will feel like a reward eventually but, right now, it doesn't so I need other ways to keep up the motivation.

amusedmonkey

I don't do that. It goes against my style of dieting and can work against me. If I start rewarding myself for weight loss, that shines a spotlight on my diet as something out of the ordinary. I don't want that. I want to feel like having a balanced diet is just another normal thing I do most days with as little brain processing power and searching for a "push" as possible. If I don't see it that way I would be too dependent on motivation, which is not a reliable resource. I "reward" myself with random things at random times because I like myself. Nice stuff make me feel good, and I deserve to feel good, regardless of what my wait did or didn't do.

firef1y72

AriesGal329 wrote: »

I have been setting up rewards for myself for motivation. When I lose 5 pounds I get to have a massage. When I lose the next 3 pounds after that, I get to buy a new outfit. And so on...does anyone else do this? I find it very motivating!

I've put £1 away for every 1lb I've lost and when I've lost half my bodyweight I'll be rewarding myself with a celebratory tattoo. I've got £135 so far and only need to add another £10.