Goals and Rewards

mrron2u

So I am trying to come up with Goals and Rewards. Goals seem to be easy. I am trying to hit 10% goals which makes the over all goal seem much more obtainable. My problem is in the rewards. I am trying to avoid rewarding myself with anything food related (for example eating a meal without logging, or a meal at a favorite restaurant, etc.) as that probably sends a negative message to myself about food. I have different things I like, and rewards could be related to hobbies, or clothes or activities I suppose. In fact maybe I should make rewards that encourage physical activity.

So my question is - what are some of the rewards that you have promised yourself when you reach different goals along the way of your journey? Do you think tangible rewards are justified for achieving your goals?

My fitness coach suggested them to me so I just wanted to bounce that off all my friends in this group.

Thanks,
Ron

cwrig

For every 10 lbs I lose, I buy myself a 10lb block of copper and put it on the tv stand. I now have 40 lbs of copper sitting there whci I go pickup every now and then to remind me what used to be on my body. Real motivating for me.

amberj32

I have goals but I haven't really set any rewards. I think it's important but I don't know what I could reward myself with. I don't have a whole lot of money to spend on a reward. I'm excited to see what rewards everyone else has. Maybe it will give me some ideas.

mrron2u

For every 10 lbs I lose, I buy myself a 10lb block of copper and put it on the tv stand. I now have 40 lbs of copper sitting there whci I go pickup every now and then to remind me what used to be on my body. Real motivating for me.

I can see how that could be motivating to see that and relate it to weight you no longer carry. Are you going to do something with it when you are done? That is a cool idea.

BigGuy47

In fact maybe I should make rewards that encourage physical activity.

This is what I do. When I hit certain milestones I'll purchase some exercise equipment (new dumbells, a suspension trainer, new work out clothes, etc.). In a few years my home gym will be full of rewards.

swalewis

My rewards are linked to (and paid for by) my exercise goals. I get money back from my health plan when I log visits to the gym, and then use that to save toward things outside my monthly budget, like a new pair of shoes, work-out clothes, or things related to my hobbies, like yarn, quilting fabric, the latest book in a favorite series, or new plants for the garden.

I also splurge on food and drink I can enjoy, like really nice sparkling water (perrier) or super fresh veggies and local meats.

mrron2u

I have goals but I haven't really set any rewards. I think it's important but I don't know what I could reward myself with. I don't have a whole lot of money to spend on a reward. I'm excited to see what rewards everyone else has. Maybe it will give me some ideas.

I think I am partially having trouble with rewards because my wants are not many. I tend to get the little things I want when I want them and the big things I want would require a lottery jackpot to get! In some ways the reward so far has been feeling better and being able to wear clothes I hadn't been able to for years.

I thought about a tattoo (never got one yet) that has some significance to what I've lost and how I will never go back, but I'm a tad bit squeamish so not sure that is the answer either.

GlucernaBrand

Some people feel that the satisfaction of reaching a goal is enough reward for them, while others are motivated by something more tangible (I love the pounds of copper idea!). Rewards don't have to cost much: time to take a bubble bath, or a walk along the beach or a favorite trail you don't get to visit often, or listening to favorite music. Some people like to earn points for reaching goals, and then save up their points for a large reward. There are lots of options. ~Lynn /Glucerna

cathylopez1975

When I started this weight loss journey, I worked with a diabetes educator/dietitian from my endocrinologist's office (who I knew from church). After my first 5 months when I had lost a substantial amount of weight (47 lbs), she told me I should have some sort of reward, but it shouldn't be something I needed. I never really knew what I wanted - the lost weight was enough reward.

But I have given it some thought. Weight Watchers talks about 'anchors' - something that you can hold on to/touch that reminds you of your success. They used to do a key chain with charms for different goals reached. I've considered getting a "Pandora" type charm bracelet. (Wish I had thought of it as I was losing - I could have gotten charms for milestone losses.) I don't think of clothes as a reward. I've had to replace the whole wardrobe, so I had to have them. Like I said, the lost weight has really been the reward. Hearing good comments from others has been really encouraging. My husband introduces me as his "new" wife (we've been married 37 years). I have students who have come back to my school to see me after several years who don't recognize me. Even looking in the mirror encourages and rewards.

GlucernaBrand

I love all of the different ways you experience the reward of losing weight cathy. You also reminded me that a friend took the Weight Watcher's idea of an anchor and is buying a charm for a special charm bracelet for every 10 pounds she loses. She carefully chooses charms that have special meaning for her. Since she wears the bracelet all the time, when she's feeling stuck she looks at each charm and reminds herself why losing weight is important to her, and how much progress she's made. It's really working for her. ~ Lynn/Glucerna

scubasuenc

Initially I set rewards for milestone goals. First was under 300 lbs, then it was every 25lbs after that. However now I don't seem to need them any more. The weight loss and how much better I feel have become the reward themselves.

For me all of my rewards were indulgences. Things I wanted or wanted to do, but ddn't need. They haven't included clothes because I hate clothes shopping and that has been a necessary product of the weight loss. One was to have a photo session at Glamour Shots, one was to book a vacation that I wanted. You just need to figure out the rewards that work for you.

I like the idea of a Pandora bracelet or some similar reminder of the successes.

mrron2u

I love all of the different ways you experience the reward of losing weight cathy. You also reminded me that a friend took the Weight Watcher's idea of an anchor and is buying a charm for a special charm bracelet for every 10 pounds she loses. She carefully chooses charms that have special meaning for her. Since she wears the bracelet all the time, when she's feeling stuck she looks at each charm and reminds herself why losing weight is important to her, and how much progress she's made. It's really working for her. ~ Lynn/Glucerna

I like the bracelet idea - but as a guy I need to find a guy spin on it. As you mentioned above, the idea of seeing it daily could be motivational especially when you need a boost.

Alsvic

I have a belt hanging from my rack on the wall it was purchased when I was at my heaviest. I punched three new holes in that belt as I lost weight. Then I went out an bought a new size 46 belt, Remember this was the first time in my life I ever purchased a smaller belt intentionally. I see that old belt just hang there slowly disintegrating over time that's all the reward I need.

OK I realize it will take a thousand years. I guess you could call that my anchor. I defiantly consider it a mile stone in my journey.

DenDweller

It didn't even occur to me to set rewards for milestones reached. Duh. Good idea!

But, I really like the suggestions some mentioned of reinvesting into one's own health with an anchor, touchstone, or something practical like exercise equipment. It seems like good way keep the ball rolling in the right direction.

Now I have some thinking to do too. Thanks.

cwrig

Here is my 40 lbs of cooper that help keep me motivated. Every 10lbs of fat I lose I buy a 10lb block of copper.

They sit on my TV stand so I see them every night. Hard to believe that 40lbs was hanging on my body. Its really heavy to lift!



Hopefully I will be adding another 10lb block in 3 weeks or so

mrron2u

I'm curious - what does 10 pounds of copper cost?

It is a really cool visual and I could see how it would be motivating.

Do you plan to do something with it when you are done someday?

GlucernaBrand

What wonderful ideas to help stay motivated! I'm trying to think of a guy's type of motivational bracelet. What about a key chain that you can put charms on? Or a macrame or leather bracelet (I see lots of guys wearing them)? You could put wooden beads on them for every goal reached. ~Lynn @Glucerna

cwrig

I'm curious - what does 10 pounds of copper cost?

It is a really cool visual and I could see how it would be motivating.

Do you plan to do something with it when you are done someday?

Cooper price fluctuates a bit. Right now its about $5 per pound. So each block costs me $50.

I guess when I am done using them for motivation, Ill put them in a timer capsul for my grandkids. Mayby copper to will go up in price in 50 years

mrron2u

What wonderful ideas to help stay motivated! I'm trying to think of a guy's type of motivational bracelet. What about a key chain that you can put charms on? Or a macrame or leather bracelet (I see lots of guys wearing them)? You could put wooden beads on them for every goal reached. ~Lynn @Glucerna

I'm actually leaning towards a tattoo. I've always wanted one and I want to have the following phrase "No Turning Back" in maybe Chinese Characters done on the inside of my arm. It can be a constant reminder of where I came from and how I never want to go back there. And I'm sure people will ask what it means and I can use that as a way to explain why it means so much to me. But before I can do it. I gotta decide at what point I have earned it.

I've got the following goals:
#1) 35 pounds gone (first 10% of my body weight gone - scale has to say 317 or less)
#2) 53 pounds gone (first time my weight will be under 300 in about 15 years or so - scale has to say 299 or less)
#3) 67 pounds gone (second 10% of my body weight gone - scale has to say 285 or less)
#4) 100 pounds gone (third 10% of my body weight gone - scale to read 252 or less)

Then I'll reevaluate to see what my true goal weight should be. The charts all say under 200, and that might be true, but I don't want to decide that till I get to the 252 mark.

I'm actually within 1 pound of hitting goal #1. I figure either after goal #2 or #4 is met I will have earned my tattoo.

Thoughts?

GlucernaBrand

Thanks for sharing your goals and congratulations on being so close to meeting goal #1! Perhaps you could come up with intermediary rewards for hitting your goals, and save the tattoo for reaching your last goal? Or I suppose you could divide the tattoo into four parts, and have one part done for each goal you reach. Is that even possible? I think it's great that you have your goals outlined so clearly and you're planning on rewards. ~Lynn @Glucerna

sdouglas0728

Thanks for sharing your goals and congratulations on being so close to meeting goal #1! Perhaps you could come up with intermediary rewards for hitting your goals, and save the tattoo for reaching your last goal? Or I suppose you could divide the tattoo into four parts, and have one part done for each goal you reach. Is that even possible? I think it's great that you have your goals outlined so clearly and you're planning on rewards. ~Lynn @Glucerna

I'm giving myself tattoos for rewards! A tattoo for every twenty pounds! I love tattoos. My last tattoo when I hit my goal will be a heart on my (hopefully flat) stomach by where I inject. A good reminder to love myself.
My boyfriend also bought me new shoes this week.