How do you reward yourself?

judtod

I have always used food as a reward and a way to celebrate. Obviously that is changing now. What non-food rewards do you use?

Heres2Victory

I read you should reward behaviors that help you achieve your health goals for example, saying no to second helpings, adding a little more intensity to your exercise, skipping the carbs or sweets. You get the best results and most benefits when rewarding desired behavior consistently until it becomes part of your normal routine.
This does not mean you have to reward yourself immediately every single time you do the right thing however you should reward yourself frequently for changing bad behaviors into good ones. Using treats as a reward sends a confusing message to your brain and encourages the bad behavior that got you where you where you're at in the first place.
Pedicures, trip to the movies, new clothing item are ideas. I also heard you should make short and long term behavioral goal changes. A friend of mine suggested for a long-term goal putting a dollar for every day you do the right thing into a jar to purchase a special gift for yourself at 30 day intervals or when you reach your fitness goal. I also heard of buying a bracelet or ring and putting it on your dominant hand or wrist so it reminds you of your good behavior. Another idea that involves no money is to make someone else happy by doing an act of kindness or volunteering. By doing something for someone else will make them and you both feel good! Good Luck!

hayleymc3

I am still really struggling with this, because I also used food as a reward in the past.

I have found that giving myself a manicure has become a habitual celebration of me becoming healthier. Sounds silly, but it gives me the incentive to actually be patient and paint my nails, which I've grown to love. I also reward myself with thrifting days (I love thrift shopping, and it's cheap!), mini-road trips (I like driving to random places by myself or with the fiance), and overall random things. I lost two pounds last week and I got my eyebrows professionally done instead of doing them at home. I also got a purse that I found on sale. I don't make rewards too complicated, just kind of simple, because the simple things are the most satisfactory.

I do have major goals for big milestones. When I get in the 270's (which I am oh-so close to!) I'm getting a brand new camera. I've wanted one for forever, because the Iphone is not enough for the picture obsessed like me. lol

SenseiCole

faceal
massages
bra's
new clothes
CD
DVD
books
make up
shoes
getting my hair done



a quote 'do not reward yourself with food. You are not a dog.' ( don't mean to bemean or rude)

anyone can add me

majope

Food is not the enemy--it is a pleasurable part of life, and a frequent part of celebratory events. By all means find a range of ways to reward yourself, and you've already gotten some great ideas above. But I utterly reject the notion that food cannot be a reward. Dinner at a new or favorite restaurant, a picnic with your sweetie on a warm spring day, a single amazing truffle from a high-end chocolatier, hell--deep-fried butter at the Indiana State Fair (yep, that was a real thing)--all can be wonderful, satisfying treats AND fit within your day's calorie goal.

In my opinion, building a healthy relationship with food means learning how and when to indulge.

joystick1

I intend to reward myself every half a stone I lose. The first half I have lost, I had my hair cut and coloured and splashed out on highlights which I don't normally have. The next half a stone I'm going to have my eyelashes tinted and my eyebrows shaped and I can't wait, clothes will probably be the next reward, a size smaller !!! I do have about 5 stone to lose so a lot of rewards to think about.

paige_eloise

When I lost 10lbs, I got myself a manicure
At 20 lbs, I'm getting one clothing item (probably not jeans or tops as hopefully they won't fit at the end!) Same with 30 llbs
When I hit 40-50lbs, I'll buy myself an entirely new wardrobe!!

Okapi42

Food is not the enemy--it is a pleasurable part of life, and a frequent part of celebratory events. By all means find a range of ways to reward yourself, and you've already gotten some great ideas above. But I utterly reject the notion that food cannot be a reward. Dinner at a new or favorite restaurant, a picnic with your sweetie on a warm spring day, a single amazing truffle from a high-end chocolatier, hell--deep-fried butter at the Indiana State Fair (yep, that was a real thing)--all can be wonderful, satisfying treats AND fit within your day's calorie goal.

In my opinion, building a healthy relationship with food means learning how and when to indulge.

Exactly! I reward myself with food all the time. If I bike to work, I get Ben & Jerry's for dessert because it fits well within my calories then. Simple.

Longer-term, though, I'm allowing myself to indulge in more impulse buys and major purchases, especially if they're things that will keep me active, though that's also a side-effect of starting a full-time job about the same time I started here Just bought a new riding helmet. Currently putting an extra £20 per week toward my own fencing mask and rapier.

(edited to fix quote)

xampx

I treat myself with posh food occasionally, but its almost always within my calorie goals.

Part of me thinks that when I am where I want to be, I will treat myself to a new (to me) car, but since I will have to buy loads of clothes that fit, I wont have the money!

My next little goal prize will be a swimsuit so I can go swimming instead of doing boring cardio at the gym. I also need new trainers and a new sportsbra

Morninglory81

I am 1.2 lbs from my first 10lbs and my reward will be a 3 month gym membership with daycare 3 days a week.

Heres2Victory

Not everybody can use food as a reward. Especially if your addicted to your reward.
It's like a smoker quitting for a week and rewarding himself with a cigarette at the end of the week.
Xampx, had a good idea _ if you use food as a reward it should be occasional (maybe that celebration) and within your calorie goal.
Enjoy!

judtod

Thanks everyone! Great ideas.

BobcatGirl110

new colored workout shirts, a new pair of shoes, a cute water bottle, or piece of convenience equipment (holder for ipod, new earbuds, new workout music)...something that makes you want to use it when you work out

IowaJen1979

My first reward was a new purse. After my next goal I'm getting a massage. :-)

EmmieBaby

I reward myself with new running shoes in an bright obnoxious color. or I go to the beach with friends and relax

if you want food rewards, make something new and healthy, like a new dinner or desert.

julieh391

Clothes! I need them anyway, so it works out great. I had to buy an entire new wardrobe for this spring and summer because last year at this time I was 60+lbs heavier. I can't afford to go crazy, but buying a bunch of $7 size small Target t-shirts sure felt rewarding to me, considering I used to be in an XXL. :happy:

MelsAuntie

First 9 lbs. lost, I rewarded myself with a blue/lavender freshwater pearl and iolite necklace. Next 9 lbs. down, iolite earrings. It was that or a bucket of KFC, and this will last a lot longer.

cgrout78

I use clothing a lot, or stuff like manicures, pedicures...things like that. Non food ways that help me to feel more attractive as I'm losing weight.

ichoose2believe

Mine recent reward was a kindle

Diamond05

When I started I told myself that when I will have lost 25 pounds I will get my nails done as a reward, wich i did and continue to do so. My next reward will be when I reach 50 pounds to got get a new haircut and maybe color. Next might be getting a new shirt, purse, pair of shoes every month...


With me gaining weight I totaly stopped taking care of myself and let myself go completely... As I'm losing the weight, I'm taking more care of myself:blushing:

kslade81

My rewards for the mini goals (10, 15 lbs, etc) will be pedicures and a haircut. When I hit the big milestones like 25 or 50 (my goal), I'm getting a new lens for my camera.

weinbagel

makeup, clothes??

I have always used food as a reward and a way to celebrate. Obviously that is changing now. What non-food rewards do you use?

backpacker44

I reward myself with fun workout gear. I am getting some very expensive Nikes in 20 more lbs. I just got a super cute hot pink workout jacket and a BodyMedia Fit LINK for losing 60 lbs..

I also will get mani/pedi's for 20 lbs lost.. I'm going on a trip to Cuba which I used as motivation/reward for myself. I clearly reward myself a lot lol

Skrib69

Small rewards are generally food or beer related IF I can fit it in that day. Bigger rewards are usually retail based - CD's, DVD's, .... The last was an expensive torch for walking the dog at night.

lcvaughn520

Why don't you go to an exercise class you've never wanted to pay for? Or buy a cute new top (for working out or otherwise!) Personally, after every work out and every time I have a day where I eat right, I think about it. I think about how amazing I feel and how proud of myself I am. It sounds ridiculously cheesy, but these feelings are rewarding and motivational. Even just a silent acknowledgement and a pat on your own back can be a really nice reward that you give yourself every day