Weight loss incentives? Share yours.

evanpdixon
evanpdixon Posts: 20 Member
edited December 2024 in Motivation and Support
Some people do well with an incentive based plan to achieving their goals. This approach could potentially help to motivate those of us with longer term/bigger goals and keep them on track for the long haul.

For example, my wife and I will take a motorcycle trip when I reach 50lbs lost.

Please share your ideas! Especially low cost/no cost ideas!

Replies

  • sweetmelissa222
    sweetmelissa222 Posts: 290 Member
    I've had a pretty eclectic mix of rewards. I framed a poster I really wanted at -30, I got some replacement t shirts (in a smaller size) at -40 and one of my favorite things was cleaning out my closet and donating all of the clothes that had gotten too big at -50 (I hit a snag recently and gained a bit back). I'm going horseback riding for my next goal which I am really excited about. I try to keep the cost of my rewards at $100 or less for the bigger ones and $25 or less for the smaller ones since I tend to reward myself often.

    Hope you get to go on your ride soon!
  • Pudgebrownie
    Pudgebrownie Posts: 73
    Towards the end of the year I'm attending a Comic Con and want to be smokin' hot for the photo sessions with my favourite cast members! Not sure how much of an incentive that is, especially since, the trip is prepaid and I'm going regardless of weight status. Still, it's a motivation that drives me. I want to look good for pictures :]
  • KyleB65
    KyleB65 Posts: 1,196 Member
    Do you have any performance goals?

    After my initial success with MFP (tracking my calories and improving my eating habits). I needed something short term to focus on that would get me down the road of weight loss and improved health that could be achieved relatively quickly. I read about setting performance goals.

    My first was to ride my bike to my wife's work and back. Roughly 20 miles (10 each direction). So, one Saturday morning I set out on my bike. There and back took me almost 4 hours. Once I accomplished this, I set my sights a little further out. And, did longer and longer bike rides about every second weekend all last summer.

    In addition, I was watching the boxers at my gym skip rope for what seemed like forever. So, I set a goal to skip rope without stopping for an entire 3 minute round. This took me about a month. Now, 3 rounds of skipping is part of my regular warm up!

    Last NYE I set a goal of running a 5k obstacle race called the Spartan Race in late May. January first was my first "run" since high school. I slowly worked my way to being strong enough to finish the race. In fact I had so much fun at the Spartan Race I started training immediately to run a 10K which I did 2 weeks ago. (1 hour 4 min 10 sec)

    This is what has and is working for me. An almost endless series of short term performance goals that have helped me stay motivated and on track with my weight loss and now fitness.

    My next stop is the 100 push up program. Going to do this with my daughter (21 yrs) who joined a gym a month ago and has already lost 7 lbs!

    I hope you find something that helps you keep going!
  • ricebarbiee
    ricebarbiee Posts: 58
    My incentives include fitting back into my skinny jeans and hopefully getting some more when I lose another 20lbs.
    Getting my next tattoo when I lose 30.
    And getting my complete makeover (plastic surgery included) when I reach my ultimate goal of losing another 35lbs to be at my goal weight of 116 =]
  • evanpdixon
    evanpdixon Posts: 20 Member
    Thanks for your input folks. Keep the ideas flowing.
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