Rewards for working out/losing weight

katy_trail

if you don't enjoy the food you're eating, your workouts, whatever your plan is. then it's not sustainable.
you don't have to love everything all the time, but if it's really hard to stick to, then it won't work.
rewards like in the OP don't work for me.
I've tried them before but i never get very far.

the motivation has to come from within and just preferring to be ON plan.
when i'm stressed I don't want to deviate from what I'm doing.
while still having the flexibility that is needed when life happens.

ETA: my progress is my reward. not necessarily being a different size, but feeling more energy, happier, stronger.
I can look at specific numbers over time and see how much I'm improving and the potential in the months to come.
I don't need a reward to congratulate me for doing my workouts. I need them for my sanity. they make me feel accomplished.
Even if I had a bad day, at least I lifted, which almost always makes me feel better.

L257

Reaching my goal weight will be reward enough and meeting my daily/weekly goals gives me a huge sense of satisfaction but I'm all for little 'rewards' along the way to keep me motivated when I'm losing focus and starting to fall 'off the wagon'

There's a great little chinese massage place near me that does great neck&shoulder massages- $20(AUD) for 20 mins so that's one I use. Also cheap, cute little stationery items and hair accessories and things I don't need at all but make me smile.

I don't use food as a treat but even if I did, that wouldn't make me a dog. It would make me a human being with a weakness. But aren't we all?

rdrettig1

I don't really reward myself with anything specific. Just feel amazing when I reach a weight goal or a fitness goal. There are so many rewards already. Like when I actually get to wear a bikini for the first time in six years. Or I can do a pull up! Or when I can go hiking and not be the last person in line praying someone else wants to take a break so I can rest! LOL

Sid1988

i have rewarded myself with a month away to Thailand at the end of the year.

It is my motivation to keep me going and it's also my reward for all my hardwork. it's a win win situation

mcibty

I do not reward myself with clothes. I am not a mannequin.

If losing weight, gaining muscle tone and feeling better about myself are not sufficient rewards, I feel like I must have something wrong with my priorities.

That sounds a little harsh. Yes, the main reward is what you see when you look in the mirror, or when you look down at your body and you're happy with what you see. I think, for the purpose of this post, though, the OP wants to know what alternatives you can do whilst on a weight loss journey that will act as a milestone.

So, like another poster, I have a tattoo which needs finishing, and my artist isn't available until September. For me, it'll feel great to be able to lie on the table with my top off, not feeling bad about myself. The tattoo itself can be a reminder of what I achieved.

As for not wanting to buy clothes, I think the best thing you can do after a weight loss journey is to show off your new body; you should be proud.

Also, sorry OP, I didn't actually answer your question. Definitely try not to reward yourself with food. It's counter-productive, and chances are you'll get the guilt-factor after, like so many others do.

I like the underwear suggestion. The more you lose, the slinkier you'll feel. I like T-shirts, so this weekend I bought myself a nice new size 12.

I also go to the cinema after a gym session, as it's right across the road.

Little, tangible things, like clothes, a DVD you want. Hell, even get a whiteboard and give yourself a tick or a sticker for a good day will still give you that warm fuzzy when you hit your goals

Good luck!