Non-food, non-clothes reward ideas

rencawdor24
rencawdor24 Posts: 157 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hi,

I am currently living away from home (UK) and am living in India for work purposes.

After initially struggling to lose weight in India due to lifestyle changes, I have managed to overcome the challenges and the scales are moving slowly in the right direction.

I would love to lose 7lb from now till when I return home in end July or Mid Aug. The problem is I am wailing in motivation right now.

Does anyone have any non-food, non-clothes reward ideas that I can use to keep me motivated? The reason I say non-clothes is because I am planning to start trying for a baby over the next year or so, so don't want to splash out on clothes right now.

Thanks in advance for your ideas!
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Replies

  • rencawdor24
    rencawdor24 Posts: 157 Member
    Anyone?
  • kaaaaylee
    kaaaaylee Posts: 398
    New running sneakers, jewelry, makeup, things that make you happy.
  • jillian_fan2425
    jillian_fan2425 Posts: 167 Member
    I'm going to get a mani/pedi when I make it to Onederland :smile:
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Pamper yourself - whole package spa day or at least a massage and/or mani/pedi. I also like kaaaaylee's ideas, especially jewelry as earrings or a nice bracelet will always fit regardless of how much weight you might gain during your pregnancy.
  • blupanda12
    blupanda12 Posts: 54 Member
    I'm rewarding myself with new music every 5 pounds right now. Since I rarely buy music, it's been quite the motivator to finally have a reason to spend the money on stuff I like :D. I second the other ideas! When I get to half-way, I'm going to splurge with a super-nice massage package.
  • JeniSue28
    JeniSue28 Posts: 1,395 Member
    Massage, mani/pedi, spa day, new hair cut/sytle/color, new makeup, new sneakers, new golf clubs, day at the beach, day out doing what ever you want... really anything that you like or like to do would work.
  • sherambler
    sherambler Posts: 303 Member
    I drink tea, not coffee, so one for me is allowing myself to purchase more expensive teas.

    I set small goals for myself, like stay under my calorie goal 6 of 7 days or exercise at least five days, if I accomplish that goal I buy myself some flowers.

    A new waterbottle, heart rate monitor, work out DVD or other weight loss related items that you maybe wouldn't otherwise bother buying for yourself. Even spending $10 on some bright colored, funky socks can put some pep in your step.

    An expensive nail polish. (I tend to buy cheap nail polish, though.)

    You can stash $ in a jar to use for a vacation, new baby stuff, or something else that excites you. I wouldn't use lbs though, but instead non-weight goals.

    One guilt-free day.( use it against whatever you feel guilty about most often, maybe you take an extra day off from exercising when you have a super busy schedule or you add an extra 200 calories one day for an extra treat or are planning on going shopping and want to spend a little extra money)

    Buy luxe ingredients for at-home facial, still cheap but feels so amazing. And you can store for later use.

    A footbath. Feels so great after you workout to just let your feet soak, and it feels even better when you know you worked for it.

    I'm a big reader, so I'll let myself have a shopping spree at a thrift store or used book store.
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    Buy yourself a charm braclet (troll beads, Pandora, or a copy), and add a charm each time you lose 5 pounds.
  • hellokathy
    hellokathy Posts: 540 Member
    Buy yourself a charm braclet (troll beads, Pandora, or a copy), and add a charm each time you lose 5 pounds.

    I love that idea! :)

    For big goals, I have planned tattoos as rewards. But that's probably not for everyone.
  • goldthistime
    goldthistime Posts: 3,213 Member
    A private lesson. Tennis, golf, even piano. Nothing like instruction from a pro. I'm planning on taking a swimming lesson this summer.
  • SCV34
    SCV34 Posts: 2,048 Member
    My doctor told me that I couldn't lower my cholesterol without medication. I want to prove her wrong. So, in a way that is my reward. To say hey I did it without a drug! I have lost weight in the process and I feel good about that!
  • honsi
    honsi Posts: 210 Member
    I book a massage or a pamper session, you can get good deals on groupon etc It really depends on what kind of things you like. You could put money in a jar for every 1lb you lose. Every time I resist the urge to order a pizza or go for some other junk food I put money in the jar for that too. I bought myself a tablet and a new phone with the money.
  • HotMessPrincess
    HotMessPrincess Posts: 10 Member
    I bought myself a Pandora charm bracelet for my 50 lbs lost reward...and I add a charm for every milestone and non-scale victory.

    Some charms are weight related and others are for non-scale victories. For example, when I lost 50 pounds I bought myself a little charm shaped like a handheld mirror...because it was no longer quite so painful to look in the mirror. :-) I add a colored glass charm for every size I drop.

    It's exciting and fun to shop for charms for each milestone, especially since they're not all based on the reading on the scale.

    My next charms will be a butterfly when I hit Twoderville (five pounds to go!) and a crystal heart when I've lost my first 100 pounds. I'm thinking of getting the bride & groom charm for the day that I finally weigh LESS than my husband...first time ever for that.

    I don't know if Pandora has a store in India, but I know there are tons of Pandora-like items available on Amazon.com...that might be helpful.

    Good luck to you!!!

    http://www.hotmessprincess.com
  • blf20
    blf20 Posts: 97 Member
    You're so lucky to be in India now. How about treating yourself to day trips to wonderful sights while you're there; some wonderful Indian jewellery, a special sari or scarf, sandals.
    Have fun.
  • ponycyndi
    ponycyndi Posts: 858 Member
    I've been putting quarters in my"starbucks" jar. I use that for treats, sometimes it's Starbucks, a nice candle, craft supplies, or some other unplanned treat.
  • MomTo3Lovez
    MomTo3Lovez Posts: 800 Member
    Buy yourself a charm braclet (troll beads, Pandora, or a copy), and add a charm each time you lose 5 pounds.

    I love that idea! :)

    For big goals, I have planned tattoos as rewards. But that's probably not for everyone.

    That is my goal is getting a tattoo as well. As for the smaller goals I love the charm bracelet, I have a Pandora bracelet and still have just 3 charms, I think I am going to get another one once I am out of the 170's, thanks for the idea!
  • slk_5555
    slk_5555 Posts: 177 Member
    Buy yourself a charm bracelet (troll beads, Pandora, or a copy), and add a charm each time you lose 5 pounds.

    What a great idea. I actually have a charm bracelet which is currently charmless (if that makes sense). I think I will go online & pick my first charm to buy when I'm 5lb down.

    Thank you for this fab idea. :wink:
  • MyRummyHens
    MyRummyHens Posts: 141 Member
    I'm another one to book a massage, or a facial. I tend to do a 4 weekly cycle. If I've been good for 4 weeks then I tend to go and have something done.
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    Why reward yourself at all? Sorry but it seems a bit vain to have to financially self-congratulate yourself when weight loss itself should be the incentive, not the prospect of a lovely new blouse.
  • slk_5555
    slk_5555 Posts: 177 Member
    Why reward yourself at all? Sorry but it seems a bit vain to have to financially self-congratulate yourself when weight loss itself should be the incentive, not the prospect of a lovely new blouse.

    I can't see why this is vain. If I achieve a goal in life or something which I am proud of, why not recognize that in the form of reward (financial or non financial). I think to successfully reach a weight loss goal, then the weight loss itself has to be your primary incentive/motivator. However, if II want to mark his achievement with a 'reward' then I will.

    Perhaps if I was full of self hatred, then I would skip the reward & just tell myself I'm not worth it.
  • jlahorn
    jlahorn Posts: 377 Member
    Why reward yourself at all? Sorry but it seems a bit vain to have to financially self-congratulate yourself when weight loss itself should be the incentive, not the prospect of a lovely new blouse.

    Because that's the way brains work. If you do x thing and get a reward that lights up the happy bits, you're more likely to keep doing x. It works on mice, and it works on us. Positive reinforcement is an extremely effective training method.
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    My ultimate goal winning: a tattoo. A Harry Potter one, no less.

    Short term: I'm a make up junkie. I love all things beauty related, so if I reach mini goals, I'll splurge on things I want but are super pricey.
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    Perhaps if I was full of self hatred, then I would skip the reward & just tell myself I'm not worth it.

    Oh please. So by not rewarding yourself just means you are worthless? Bring out the violins.

    Maybe people can just be happy enough without the weight loss.
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    Why reward yourself at all? Sorry but it seems a bit vain to have to financially self-congratulate yourself when weight loss itself should be the incentive, not the prospect of a lovely new blouse.

    Then I guess I'm vain - which is perfectly okay with me.

    I haven't rewarded myself yet - but I plan to when all is said and done. Weight loss IS the incentive (actually my incentive is better health overall). But the bonus(es) are fun little things to congratulate yourself with. *shrug*
  • slk_5555
    slk_5555 Posts: 177 Member
    I guess I must be vain too.

    Anyone who rewards themselves with non essential items (make-up, jewelery, tattoos....and erm 'blouses') we're all vain - shame on us all!! Hell, fire and damnation. :sad:
  • yungibear
    yungibear Posts: 138 Member
    I like to skateboard, so when I hit my halfway point, I'm going to buy myself some new trucks!

    OP, perhaps you have an activity you really like and you have been wanting to upgrade your equipment (yoga mat, dumbells, cooking utensils, crafting, etc..)?
  • KameHameHaaa
    KameHameHaaa Posts: 244 Member
    When i get to my halfway point, I'm going sky diving. :)
  • amysj303
    amysj303 Posts: 5,086 Member
    massage, facial, mani, pedi, makeup, shoes, a car wash, a plant, a music download, nail polish, a plant, jewelry...
  • 33Freya
    33Freya Posts: 468 Member
    Get your nails done, get a new bit of makeup- lipstick, eyeshadow, etc. get some fancy skin lotion, get a spray tan, get a massage, essentially, treat yourself.
  • 33Freya
    33Freya Posts: 468 Member
    Why reward yourself at all? Sorry but it seems a bit vain to have to financially self-congratulate yourself when weight loss itself should be the incentive, not the prospect of a lovely new blouse.

    I financially self-congratulate myself often- it's called taking care of myself! To restructure that as a goal for an extra little motivation kick isn't wrong, it's helpful. We have our goals, and yes, weight loss, body composition, etc is the main goal, but it isn't bad to have lovely things to work toward during the journey. Now go do one of those things for your love if you have one and watch him or her light up!

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