Goals/rewards?

Coppertop1220

I'm considering setting short term goals for myself to help with my long term goal of losing about 50 pounds. I think it will help keep me on track and focused instead of staring at a big goal and getting discouraged if I don't lose quick enough. What kind of goals did you set for yourself? Did you reward yourself once you reached the goal? What was the reward? Any insight on this would be helpful!!!

HealthWoke0ish

I'm 6'0" and topped out a few years ago at just under 400 lbs. I played sports in high school and college. Now I'm an attorney practicing commercial litigation and I'm at my desk 8-10 hours a day on average.

I started losing by quitting soda, cold turkey.

Next I made a commitment to only having one serving per meal. Then, serving = plateful...so I'd pile it on. It was okay though because one heaping plate of food was less than I had been eating.

The one-serving-and-no-soda method got me down to around 320 lbs. I started counting calories last summer and joined MFP some time around November. I was 306 lbs. When I joined.

In late January 2013, I started doing Jillian Michaels DVDs. I have 30 Day Shred and Six Week Six Pack. I do a minimum of 30 minutes a day at high intensity, a minimum of six days a week. I push myself as hard as I can...and then push a little harder.

Since joining MFP, I've lost about 34 lbs. I'm at 272 lbs now with a goal of getting down between 220 - 230 lbs. My plan is to add lifting/weight training when I get down around 240 -250 lbs. My goal is to be able to work out with my brother. He's a D1 Running Back and in great shape.

Here's my goal (My brother. He's 6'1" 223 lbs):


When I reach my goal...looking like this will be the reward! (I also think I'm gonna buy myself a new gun...I've been wanting one. I'll probably have to get new suits too...but that'll be more of a necessity than a reward)

JennKie1

It kind of depends on the route you're taking. Diet? Exercise? Both? What's your own personal motivation?

I started out with a workout program that was really difficult. My first goal was to make it all the way through at least one of the videos without quitting (which took me a week and I still couldn't keep up, but I didn't quit). Then my goal was to follow the diet plan that came with the program for at least one day without cheating. (Baby steps). Then, it was to follow the diet plan for 10 days while at least attempting one of the workouts every day. I lost 9# in my first 10 days. That was motivation enough to keep going. I have rewarded myself with things like shoes, a pedicure, special treats, clothes, etc. When I got to 30#, my husband took me for a spa day. Honestly, though, the best reward is seeing the huge difference in myself, and the return of my self-confidence. I'd say pick something that motivates you and work toward it. Pictures are a great motivator. My "before" pictures made me cry. That's what pushed me to finally do something about my weight. Now I look back at those photos and see that I've come so far! I still have a few to lose, and I have actually fallen off the wagon lately. I'm making a point of looking at my "before" photos often to try to put myself back on track. I don't want to go back to where I was before. Best of luck to you in your journey.

mdraper60

I decided to do this. On my page I have weight loss goals (lose 20 pounds, lose 30 pounds etc.) with some kind of reward for reaching each goal. Seems a lot more attainable to me than saying I want to lose 117 pounds. I'm hoping that reaching the smaller goals and getting rewarded along the way will keep me motivated to work towards the next one so that I make it to my goal. The rewards don't have to be big, just something that you don't NEED but something you WANT so you have to work for it or you don't get it! Feel free to look at my page and see some of them.

bluecrush1203

I had a goal of losing 30lbs and decided to reward myself at 10lb intervals. When I started out I hid $50 in the back of my wallet, to be used for a massage when I hit 10lbs, which I did this morning! Now I can treat myself with a non food related reward and look forward to my next goal.

jacksonpt

My rewards are things that will keep me going, not hinder my progress. As such, rewards are NEVER food related. Small rewards are simple things... new socks, new shoe laces, etc. Other rewards include new bike tires, new running sneakers, new bike shorts, a new bike jersey, etc etc.