How do you reward yourself for weightloss?

MissFlab2Fab2014

I am thinking of giving my selfs *treats* if you will for weight loss. A little motivation to keep me going... I have some ideas *NOTHING TO DO WITH FOOD..

What are yours?

oddzki

You realize that being overweight is not an option and every day you look in the mirror to see the progress you've worked so hard for. Your body is your reward.

Treats shouldn't be needed, but if you need something concrete too look forward to, a good tip is to start a bet with someone who's also looking to loose weight. IE both should loose x LBS by x Date, or else you'll have to pay x or do x.

Then you also have someone to share thoughts and ideas with during the journey.

This is entirely not needed, but some people may find it easier when being pressured a little bit.

I view my training and diet like work. I just don't skip a work day because I just don't feel like it that day, I have to go. The same with overall fitness. Hopefully most days should be fun and rewarding though.

juhnell2610

Satisfaction and old clothes that fit are my reward. I'm a goal driven person so I don't need more than that to keep me motivated.

Lourdesong

New jeans in a new smaller size (the next size down to work towards.)

It's like a half-treat, you get something new, but you don't get to enjoy it unless you keep at it.

benaddict

My rewards are to do with continuing my fitness journey. When I lost 5 pounds I got a new workout outfit (pants, sports bra, and shirt). When I lost 10 I got a yoga mat and some hand weights for my Jillian Michaels DVD. When I lost 15 I got a heart rate monitor so I can measure the calories I burn doing my DVD and C25K. When I get to 20 I'm getting another sports bra and more workout clothes. For me the rewards do double-duty: they give me something to work toward, and then when I earn them, I'm excited to work out to use my new stuff. I agree with your policy of no food rewards. If you're not into workout gear as a reward, think of a book, DVD, CD, item of clothing, shoes, makeup, etc, something that you want, and don't let yourself get it until you reach a certain goal. I like having lots of small goals rather than one big one because the smaller goals seem more do-able in the short-term and keep me motivated. Good luck!

SteampunkSongbird

Bought myself a new bra online last night, I figured since I'm making some progress I deserve a new bra that actually fits properly, lol.

jennifer_417

You realize that being overweight is not an option and every day you look in the mirror to see the progress you've worked so hard for. Your body is your reward.

Treats shouldn't be needed, but if you need something concrete too look forward to, a good tip is to start a bet with someone who's also looking to loose weight. IE both should loose x LBS by x Date, or else you'll have to pay x or do x.

Then you also have someone to share thoughts and ideas with during the journey.

This is entirely not needed, but some people may find it easier when being pressured a little bit.

I view my training and diet like work. I just don't skip a work day because I just don't feel like it that day, I have to go. The same with overall fitness. Hopefully most days should be fun and rewarding though.

How's the view from the back of that high horse? Different people are motivated by different things, we don't need to tell one another what we "should" be motivated by.

Deipneus

*NOTHING TO DO WITH FOOD..

What are yours?

I'm with you. I got control of food by no longer viewing it as recreation or reward but as fuel, so for me, that would have been counterproductive.

I rewarded myself with travel.

MissFlab2Fab2014

You realize that being overweight is not an option and every day you look in the mirror to see the progress you've worked so hard for. Your body is your reward.

Treats shouldn't be needed, but if you need something concrete too look forward to, a good tip is to start a bet with someone who's also looking to loose weight. IE both should loose x LBS by x Date, or else you'll have to pay x or do x.

Then you also have someone to share thoughts and ideas with during the journey.

This is entirely not needed, but some people may find it easier when being pressured a little bit.

I view my training and diet like work. I just don't skip a work day because I just don't feel like it that day, I have to go. The same with overall fitness. Hopefully most days should be fun and rewarding though.

How's the view from the back of that high horse? Different people are motivated by different things, we don't need to tell one another what we "should" be motivated by.

so you took the words out of my mouth. I understand that at the end of my journey and sustaining the weight that will be the ultimate reward *point out the obvious* but to keep me motivated call me weak, I need little insentives.. So.... yeah? I am only curious what people use to reward themselves to stay motivated. THAT IS ALL :flowerforyou:

QuietBloom

You realize that being overweight is not an option and every day you look in the mirror to see the progress you've worked so hard for. Your body is your reward.

Treats shouldn't be needed, but if you need something concrete too look forward to, a good tip is to start a bet with someone who's also looking to loose weight. IE both should loose x LBS by x Date, or else you'll have to pay x or do x.

Then you also have someone to share thoughts and ideas with during the journey.

This is entirely not needed, but some people may find it easier when being pressured a little bit.

I view my training and diet like work. I just don't skip a work day because I just don't feel like it that day, I have to go. The same with overall fitness. Hopefully most days should be fun and rewarding though.

How's the view from the back of that high horse? Different people are motivated by different things, we don't need to tell one another what we "should" be motivated by.

Maybe so, but I have a question. What happens when the exciting phase of weight loss and rewards has halted? When you reach maintenance and you realize it is the hardest part by far?

Motivation HAS to be internal for long term success.

kikityme

I go to a thrift store and buy new pants that don't fit, but show promise. Then I work on fitting into them. Right now I'm working on squeezing into a size I haven't worn since highschool.

MissFlab2Fab2014

My rewards are to do with continuing my fitness journey. When I lost 5 pounds I got a new workout outfit (pants, sports bra, and shirt). When I lost 10 I got a yoga mat and some hand weights for my Jillian Michaels DVD. When I lost 15 I got a heart rate monitor so I can measure the calories I burn doing my DVD and C25K. When I get to 20 I'm getting another sports bra and more workout clothes. For me the rewards do double-duty: they give me something to work toward, and then when I earn them, I'm excited to work out to use my new stuff. I agree with your policy of no food rewards. If you're not into workout gear as a reward, think of a book, DVD, CD, item of clothing, shoes, makeup, etc, something that you want, and don't let yourself get it until you reach a certain goal. I like having lots of small goals rather than one big one because the smaller goals seem more do-able in the short-term and keep me motivated. Good luck!

Love this idea! I had this in mind I was thinking when I lose 5lbs I'll get myself a HRM and then maybe at 10lbs all new work out clothes... and so on an so on. Keep me motivated and working out. At the end I am doing a total makeover. Hair, Clothes etc. but that will come last.

navygrrl

Well, my big reward for losing 30 pounds, I got a new iPod. 12 more pounds and I'll no longer be in the obese category and will be "merely" overweight, LOL, so I'll be going to the running store to get properly fitted for shoes. When I hit my initial goal weight, hubby and I will go on a cruise. Those are my big rewards. My little rewards are just things like a pedicure or a new video game.

SunofaBeach14

Taking my shirt off in public is plenty reward in itself

Sobus76

I dont reward myself for doing something i shouldve been doing all along. i think it leads me back to bad habits that im trying to break. at the end of the day my reward is knowing im possibly adding days/months/years onto my life.

MissFlab2Fab2014

I think when you reach maintenance, you should continue to reward yourself. You are right that is the hardest. Because its so easy to think "ive reached my destination" only to realize that there is no end to a weightloss journey. It is internal, and mainly emotional but rewarding yourself and your discipline is important.

MissFlab2Fab2014

I am really happy to see everyone's OPINIONS Gracias guys!!

sllm1

I move a marble from one jar (going, going) to another (gone). It's surprising how excited I get when I get to move a marble. Crazy.

I will also reward myself with another tattoo when I reach my goal weight.

AlysonG2

I made a deal with my husband that when I got down to a size 12, we would take a kid-free weekend trip. That's the first true reward I've planned, but I have had to buy new (smaller) clothes twice, so that was nice too

CJisinShape

I like rewards, but a sequence of X reward for X amount of pounds didn't work for me. So, I do my workouts and eat well as a kind of "taking care of me" and shopping for myself as "taking care of me." So every so often I get something - clothes, makeup, shoes, skin care, etc. I've essentially had several makeovers, moving more and more toward a really beautiful self. As a result, I feel and look better on many different levels, and I see a progression regarding self worth. I don't feel like I have to lose X number of pounds to have a nice outfit. It's also helped make the weight loss journey an enjoyable one, where I like my food and the exercise, because I see it similarly to going shopping, or taking a nice bath. My relationships have improved as well, since they like to see that I'm taking good care myself on many levels. God is good, and I'm so thankful for the peace he's given me about the whole process.

Edited to add: When I reach my goal, I'd like to take a really beautiful photo. In the meantime, I take really beautiful photos. If that makes any sense to you guys!

jennifer_417

For quite a while, I rewarded myself with an inexpensive pair of earrings for every 5 lbs I lost. I chose larger rewards for larger increments of weight, but I didn't do a good job of going through with them.