Reward System?

jessimacar

I feel like I need more motivation to do this.. I'm happy with what I've lost, but it's usually here where I give up. I don't know what to do to get myself moving and staying active. I just want to be a couch potato all day. Any suggestions on how to get up and go? I think I need a reward system in place, I work well that way.

Can anyone think of an immediate reward system so that I can keep myself moving? I can't get to a gym, don't have the money for DVDs, and have many more excuses to avoid exercising like a regular person.. I like to walk. I could walk for hours, and tend to burn a decent number of calories when I do.. Maybe I could get a reward for each interval of time I walk? Or each interval of distance?

Any ideas would be appreciated! For either the rewards themselves, or when I would deserve a reward..?

Thanks!

christina_michelle

exercisetv.tv for exercise you have internet so I know you can go to it (-:

You can eat what you want just in moderation and as long as it doesn't trigger you.

I have peanut butter a lot! BUT its the natural kind (safeway O organics is just as delicious) and instead of with bread I have it with apples and only ONE tablespoon.

Or I have a tablespoon of dark chocolate chips, melt them and have them with my strawberries.

Flyntiggr

check this watch out. Here is your reward system! www.s2h.com

you get REAL rewards from merchants after racking up points on the watch.

Tzavush

that looks awesome, but is it only for the US?

Gretchen27

How about a distance goal or a time goal. Set a goal for how long or how far U want to go each and when U reach it reward yourself with a extra healthy treat for the week like strawberrys with whip cream or chocolate froen yougert. Then each week try to break the previous weeks goal untill U feel motivated and to want to further your fitness, running maybe???? Hope this helps, dont get discouraged and keep up the good work :flowerforyou:

Elleinnz

You are on the right track - I read a blog the other day that said you need to reward the things you have control over - rather than the things you don't.... So reward the action of walking rather than the result of 5 pounds lost - which you can't directly control.....

How about setting yourself some goals - especially to slowly increase the level / distance ....put it on a chart on the wall - and then track to it - pretty much like kids get gold stars......I find visual reminders of progress very motivating.

With your walking start looking at intensity as well as distance - start pushing your physical boundaries.... As I am writing this I am taking note - need to do this myself too...

Flyntiggr

that looks awesome, but is it only for the US?

Doesn't look like it. When I clicked on Search Rewards, other countries came up - UK, Belgium, South Africa to name a few....

annacataldo

I think that getting a reward for each time you walk is a bit much...I go on walks everyday, if i got rewards everyday i think id stop feeling the benefits of a reward. Giving yourself food as a reward is a bit of counterproductiveness i think... i mean, I have strawberries and chocolate or frozen yogurt when I want, because i want to live my life, not because I earned it by excercise.

When I started to read this, I was going to say rewards such as pedicures, a new outfit (or just part of an outfit), a manicure, going to the movies, going to a concert, or many other activities there are in life; but then those things cost money and i got to the part that said you couldnt other things that are smaller than these things.

Why not go for a walk in a store like victorias secret or fredricks of hollywood, and look at things ud really love to have and wear and think of how sexy youd look and feel, if you were the weight u wanted to be... each time I get discouraged i remember that I cant buy bras in stores anymore, I cant find things my size anymore, I cant wear swimsuits or go tanning on the beach... i think of all the things i cant do because Im overweight, and thats all the motivation I need.

jennmoore3

um..... maybe a extra hour of tv? I know, sometimes I don't get to watch my shows all the time, so I TIVO them. I get to watch them on the weekends. So, if you spend your time walking then you get to watch your shows after? I am so not good at this. Maybe get a new book. people are always willing to swap books, I have some I can mail you, I can give you titles if you are interested.

LOL now if you are as cheap as I am, what about instead of getting the cheap paper plates, after a goal you met, you could buy the expensive ones? LOL I am really racking my brain on something that is free... oh maybe plant some flowers! or a garden?

jessimacar

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I especially love the idea of making a chart to record my progress. Seems very effective!

I checked out the site, it looks like the US is included in the program, as well as Canada (where I'm from). I'll have to check that out, and figure out how it works!

Walking around Victoria's secret sounds fantastic, except it'll have to be La Senza or La Vie en Rose here! That's great motivation. I thought of heading down to the beach in the summer and getting inspiration from the bikinis there when I read that. Lol.

As for the paper plates suggestion, I don't use them, but love love love the idea of getting a better brand of something I buy regularly as a treat for myself That way I can switch up my reward and work for something I really want! Is it sad that my first thought goes to nice, soft toilet paper?! Haha.

Thanks again for the tips. They're all great ideas!

jennmoore3

I was going to say toilet paper! I am so glad I am not the only super cheap one here!