REWARDS?

mpaige1969

I told myself when I began MFP about 1 month ago that I would reward myself with some wonderful favorite food when I got to the 10pds lost point...I am at 8 pounds so that 10 pd point is approaching. Just curious if this is a good idea or not? Does anyone reward themselves and if so..with food? is that too dangerous?

stfuriada

lhughes404

Yup, I get to go to pizza hut when I get to 180lbs.

thetrishwarp

I do not reward myself with food...
I tend to reward myself with things like new shoes or jewelry or a movie or something like that.

SelkieDiver

I know they always say to make your rewards non-food related, but mine usually ARE food related. Something I've really been wanting or missing. Just a little bit and I try to find the lowest calorie version of whatever it is. Or going out to a restaurant or out for drinks with friends.

lhughes404

Most dogs I know are smarter than most people that i know and better well behaved. Maybe we should be learn from them.

vampy25

Be it be food or clothes or watever u desire.. LOL.. but deffantly reward ureself. Atm I ave a treat like every 2 weeks. and it is food for me.

spikefoot

Rewards are good if they sustain you for the long run. Only you know if you can handle it. I hate to sound cliche but my reward is seeing my goal met.

I have set a reward for myself when I hit 155. Originally it was a beer and icecream party lol.... But it will probably just end up being a meal that I wouldn't normally eat and some shopping for clothes. 10 lbs is a bit early in the game but if you worked hard then do it.

Don't let people suggest you'd be a dog otherwise. We are human we like food and should really enjoy it in moderation or on special occasions.

dotti1121

When I lose the next 20 pounds, I am going to get a new cute haircut.

Then the after I lose the LAST 20 pounds, I will get a new tattoo!

For me, rewarding myself with food is DANGEROUS. :sad:

BackTatJIM

If you cut out all of your favorite foods to lose weight, how will you ever keep it off without eating some food you love? Just make it fit in your calorie limit and eat it then. When I started I told myself I would reward myself after I hit 170lbs and now i am 157 and still never have. when I want to eat something I eat it, I might just do a little extra cardio that day to even things out.

itsjustdawn

I guess I disagree with rewarding myself for doing what I should have been doing in the first place. I will have to buy new clothes yes, but that isn't usually rewarding for me, just costly :-) Aren't we rewarding ourselves with health and possibly the ability to do things we weren't able to do at heavier weights??

17ChargerGirl17

I prefer to reward myself with new clothes.
It is wonderful to be able to go into any store and buy a blouse in the regular section now!!!
It also keeps me very motivated.

secondchance82

My reward is good health.

sofakingawesome69

But really, how many fat dogs are there??

SmallMimi

Nope, no food here. Took a ZipLine tour with my family! Prior to losing weight I was approaching the top end of the weight restriction for this activity. This was a reward not only for me but, for my family also. I really missed doing alot of things with them when I was too heavy.

themommie

I would suggest eating some things that you love if you can fit them into your calories for the day....ex if i go out for pizza I have 1 or 2 pieces and then i cut back in other areas eating a light lunch to make it fit into my cals for the day. But for rewards I have bought myself a pair of earrings for every 10 lbs lost. If you cut out everything you love food wise you will not stick to it for life but calling it a reward and going overboard I think can backfire, but everyone is different if you can handle it go ahead , just my 2 cents. Oh wait that was more then 2.LOL

bailyc

I reward myself with gifts! At ten pounds I bought myself a new pair of running shoes and at twenty pounds I plan to get a new pair of Toms that i have been eyeing. They are a tangible reminder of how far I have come and all the hard work I have done. If I am craving something I plan for it and have a sensible portion regardless of where I am in my weightless. But for me, eating even one bad meal can be a slippery slope. Good luck and congrats on your progress.

OTchic

for a reward i wouldnt do food because i still eat what i want to eat for example i had a in n out double double cheeseburger as it was within my calories and then i worked out too. i also go to summer parties and have a slice of cake or a cookie so when i lose weight i don't reward myself with food. in fact i dont reward myself at all i just get happy to be down another pound and THAT is actually my reward i worked out ate healthy 80/20 and my reward was weight loss!

scott1646

I would say food would be a no for a reward, since it's one of the reason why I'm currently on a diet.

Ever since I became over 300lbs, which has been for the past 3 years, I've always sported a goatee. Ever since the weight gain I grew it out and now I have a full beard. My reward will be when I hit under 300lbs, is to trim it back to a goatee.

Lol, it's probably the lamest reward ever but it's a start.

My second reward will be clothes for sure.

kitigonkukoo

Even though it seems like a nice thing to do, don't use food as a reward. As your body goes without something, it tends to "forget", and the cravings go away. If you indulge in something you haven't eaten in a long time (and you haven't eaten it because it's off your meal plan), just don't do it.

Why not a weekend get away, or a staycation somewhere close by if you can't get away for a couple days? If you've lost some inches then why not a new dress, or shirt or something that shows off the change? That way, your reward lasts a lot longer.

luvhandles74

I try not to reward with food, afterall those little bites are what got me where I am HOWEVER I will sometimes have a guilt free glass of wine if I have moved enough throughout the day

I say reward with something you can keep! So you can remind yourself how great you look and how well you have done!

rose313

I used to say I was going to get my bottom navel pierced (most people get the top part, I already have the top and want the bottom too) when I hit 150. I'm not really sure if I'm still going to do that. It's going to be awhile before I hit it anyway, I'm 5 pounds away but I lose so slowly.

Tonya0605

I think a reward at ANY milestone is worthy and helps to motivate you forward. 10 lbs might not seem like a lot to some but to others that loss might be all it takes to keep ones motivation up. I tend not to reward with food just bc I know I'll want more than I really need. When (not if) I meet my 10lb loss by June 30, my reward will be a new pair of shoes. I desperately need them and I've worked hard for them, too. So, yes....rewards are good - you know what you can handle.

MizSaz

Get a manicure. Get a facial. Get a massage. Enjoy the food you love in a healthy way in every day life. Break the habit of food being a reward.

cnewlin86

There are certain foods I have to stay away from, like pepsi. If I reward myself with it, I'll want another, than another and another, so that before I know it I'm slipping back into all my bad habits again. I work so hard to burn 300 calories, that I don't want to waste it on a 32oz fountain pop anymore. So I don't reward myself with dangerous foods. But If I want something, I make sure I use portion control and work out so that I don't go drastically go over my calorie count. That way I can feel good about what I ate and enjoy it!

My long term rewards of losing weight is the satisfaction that I did it, that I won't be the beach whale at the lake, pool, or river. I don't want to be the fat mom that my kids are embarrassed to be seen with. I want to be the mom that takes her kids out and teaches them to eat healthy and exercise so that they have the best in life as well. And I will feel such a great sense of accomplishment when I get back to what I use to be and prove to people that it can be done! I don't have to keep an extra 50lbs if I don't want to!

So, in essence my life time reward will be teaching my children to be healthy and giving them the best start in life. As well as giving myself more years to see them grow up instead of being unhealhty and headed to an early grave.

HausOfTina

I have rewarded myself with a new case for my Macbook and a few glittery iPhone cases. They are all inexpensive and motivate me to work for what I want. I try to reward myself for every 10lb. My next reward will be a new workout DVD! It is working for me!

payupalice

I don't make my rewards food related. It's a slippery slope for me. My first reward was to buy a new outfit for working out in. I think my next one is going to be a roller skating class (I never learned as a kid - my mom wouldn't let me go!). The one after that is to go through all my old clothes and get rid of anything I don't like. It should be like having a new wardrobe, because that weight will be slightly less than when I fit into those clothes. I'm going on a trip to the beach in September, so whatever goal I hit right before that will be the buy a new swimsuit (bikini???) reward. Those are just some examples!

dragonfly__

Stop thinking of food as a reward. That doesn't mean cut out all the foods you love, eat them in moderation and love every minute of it. Just don't reward yourself with food, it is a trap. Reward yourself with a nice purse, pair of shoes, dress... etc.!

Phaedra2014

I told myself when I began MFP about 1 month ago that I would reward myself with some wonderful favorite food when I got to the 10pds lost point...I am at 8 pounds so that 10 pd point is approaching. Just curious if this is a good idea or not? Does anyone reward themselves and if so..with food? is that too dangerous?

Using food as a reward or punishment got me to being the size that I am. Food is nourishment. Period. I second what MizSaz said about getting a manicure, a facial, a massage.

Bob314159

Food can be a dangerous reward.

I rewarded myself with a FitBit after I was convinced I was really losing some weight.

I just purchased a summer rainjacket and a new belt after losing some more - but I don't want to buy a lot of clothes until the ones I have are looking too stupidly loose, otherwise I can go broke changing clothes every month. When winter comes I will go crazy.

gypsycoyote

Rewarding oneself is a key motivator for the majority of the human race. It is a tangible reminder of how far we have come. Jewelry, clothes, shoes and anything else that is not a single serving reward is the best - it is something you can see, and keep seeing. And, having those tangible, long lasting rewards cuts out most issues with feeling guilty later on, or freaking out. When I hit 175, I am getting my hair cut. 150, a massage ; 135 I am going to get my nose pierced, and 126 I will be getting a tattoo AND a new wardrobe <-- the clothes are a practical necessity.

Those are tangible, lasting rewards. Food is single serving, and has the possibility of causing guilt and freak outs, as well as a relapse into bad eating habits and the potential to just backfire. But in the end, it is all up to you. I say, way the pros and cons, and also make a list of all the things you want for yourself - like a new necklace, a movie night, or a special day with your friends (spa day?? )

That is my opinion. However, once a week I do get rewarded by my partner with a 500 calorie Starbucks Green Tea Frap But that is HIS reward for me, because it does not work to cut the things you love completely, only to cut back and consume in moderation. Hope this helps Good Luck!