Reward Systems

amanda0124

Does anyone reward themselves for a goal reached in a certain amount of time? If so do you reward yourself with a cheat day or meal or something materialistic like shoes or something like that? I am trying to figure out a reward to look forward to after achieving my goal. Thanks in advance!

mlauraa

I used to think that a cheat day could be considered a reward, but if the next day you feel like S**t and regretted the cheat meal, i don't think it is a reward. A reward is something that will make you feel go about your accomplishments. I would say I new outfit. New workout gear. Getting your nails done. Maybe new hair color, a tattoo? Hope this helped :-)

prettygirlstorm1

I told myself that for every 10 lbs I will buy myself something special. A new pair of underwear, a special body wash or lotion, treat myself to a pedicure. When I get to 20 pounds I am going to buy a new outfit. I try not to reward myself with food that seems to defeat the purpose.

VelveteenArabian

It should be something that you wouldn't get otherwise. If you're already going to the salon for example, that's not a reward unless you won't go if you don't make the goal. However, an upgrade to a service could be a reward - maybe you'll get a new color, or pay for coloring, or maybe get the fancy designs on your nails or whatever.

In other words...IMO, if it's a service, you would either have to to without it or do an upgrade as a reward. If it's material goods you'll have to be willing to just go without it.

benniesmother

I hadn't had a professional haircut for 2 1/2 years, so when I hit my 20 lb mark I went for a haircut. It made me feel good, and it wasn't a food reward.
When I hit my 30 lb mark, I am going to buy teeth whitening strips. It sounds stupid, but I've wanted them forever and cannot justify spending the money on something that seems so vein. however, I feel that it will help me feel good about myself, and it's another reward that isn't food

pizzmor

For me, I can't allow cheats, as rewards of otherwise, because they go from cheat days to cheat weeks, etc. I am trying to adopt a different outlook on food and my health, so I am thinking I will just let the fact that I hit my goal reward enough. My reasoning is that in seeking comfort and satisfaction in the act of losing weight, I won't feel like I am missing anything by not rewarding myself with food I shouldn't eat.

Not sure if that makes sense.

amanda0124

Thanks! Yeah I was thinking like maybe going and getting a pedicure or maybe buying a new outfit. But I dont really want to buy any new clothes until I am at my final goal weight, so I guess that could be a reward to look forward to, and maybe do small things along the way for every 5lbs or so. I totally agree about the cheat meals/days... bc it is sort of defeating the purpose of losing weight. The way I look at it, if I am craving something in particular, like say, a candybar, I should eat it bc if I dont then I will eat everything around bc I am not satisfying the craving. I also tell myself, you will have to make up for this later, and I try to make sure that I do extra that day to make up for the extra calories.

All of these are good ideas! Thanks!

spoiledpuppies

I "schedule" my rewards differently. I'm really diligent and consistent with my logging. So I know that as long as I'm logging, I'm closer to my goal, whatever that ultimately ends up being. So rather than set a certain weight to reward myself about, I celebrated 100 days of logging with a massage -- my second ever in my life, so definitely not something I would normally do. I'm not sure yet what I'll do at 200 (or if I'll celebrate 150).

ChiaGnome

No food rewards for me - I'm purposefully disassociating food from rewards. I started at 215/220 lbs and my ultimate goal is 145 lbs. I made a chart breaking my weight down into 5 lbs increments and listed luxury rewards next to each goal. Some were big, some were small.

Examples:
-I got a haircut at 210 lbs. - which if funny because I donated to Pantene Beautiful lengths and didn't even pay for the cut and style.
-Bought real running shoes at 195 lbs.
-Held on to a gift certificate a friend gave me for a pedicure until I was down to 185 (Just happened this Monday!).

When I get down to 170 I plan on getting my very 1st professional massage (I bought a Groupon for a $30 1 hour massage). At 155 I will allow myself to buy one of the unique, beautiful dresses form the boutique stores downtown. And when I get to my ultimate goal of 145 lbs., I will go on a warm-weather vacation - bathing suit here I come!

Rewards keep me motivated and I take great pride in attaining each small, reasonable goal. They add up!

Urban_Princess

No food rewards for me - I'm purposefully disassociating food from rewards. I started at 215/220 lbs and my ultimate goal is 145 lbs. I made a chart breaking my weight down into 5 lbs increments and listed luxury rewards next to each goal. Some were big, some were small.

Examples:
-I got a haircut at 210 lbs. - which if funny because I donated to Pantene Beautiful lengths and didn't even pay for the cut and style.
-Bought real running shoes at 195 lbs.
-Held on to a gift certificate a friend gave me for a pedicure until I was down to 185 (Just happened this Monday!).

When I get down to 170 I plan on getting my very 1st professional massage (I bought a Groupon for a $30 1 hour massage). At 155 I will allow myself to buy one of the unique, beautiful dresses form the boutique stores downtown. And when I get to my ultimate goal of 145 lbs., I will go on a warm-weather vacation - bathing suit here I come!

Rewards keep me motivated and I take great pride in attaining each small, reasonable goal. They add up!

that sounds great! I remember seeing a reward system featured on Oprah years ago and i thought it was a novel idea. I will try this out too! I've only lost 11kg so far so I will start my first reward at 200 lbs with a new outfit (which i'll need since my clothes are falling off me already)!

bacitracin

I don't reward myself with "treats". I'm not a dog.

Lizzy622

I set walking goals. I bought new sneakers after the first 100 miles and am planning some spa time after the next 50. It gets me out of the house on those cold mornings when I just don't feel like moving.

keeptehpeace

I don't reward myself with "treats". I'm not a dog.

this, my "treat" is looking and feeling better in myself