Rewards

Person 1 - When I get to my goal (whatever that may be), I'm going to Burger King!
Person 2 - What, are you a dog? Don't reward yourself with food!

But what if that works? What if some people CAN do that?

I am wondering about reward system. Over the years I have seen a lot of debates on this, one I have heard, quite emphatically, was the above example. Yet, one weight loss method I read stated that it's ok. Their suggestion was to be responsible and eat healthy all week. And then on the weekend have something outside of that. Burger King, for example. As long as you don't go over board with that and be responsible.

Other people have set up a money jar with a goal in mind. New smaller set of clothes, a vacation or something along those lines.

For some, just the simple idea of losing weight and is enough and their are *strong* advocates of that method that believes that should be enough.

I think we have all seen, read, heard of, or tried "whatever."
Once, I was pushing 240lbs, I set everything into play and practiced what I knew. Worked out hard, ate right and went down to 174 in about 3-4 months. I was MUCH more active back then anyway so that wasn't the hard part. it was my diet.
I have never been one to count calories or keep a journal (of any kind), but I did cut out soft drinks. I am ashamed to say how many I drank a day. And that was before I drank coffee. I just drank water, juice and Gatorade.
Ate salads, fruits and veggies. Didn't starve myself.
And the one thing I allowed myself was a slice of cheesecake at the steakhouse I managed.
I didn't call it a reward, didn't realize or utilize a reward system. I just did it.

I HAVE used the method of a meal on the weekend. Taco Bell was my choice.
The rational behind that (from what I read) is that if a person all of a sudden tells themselves that they will nevermore eat all those delicious foods (and c'mon, we KNOW they are. Otherwise we wouldn't be here) they are less likely to stay with it.
I did this and for me it worked.

And that, I believe, is THE key point. It's what i use to tell my clients, if something doesn't work for you, fine, let's find something that DOES work. And it may mean going from one thing to the next. Everyone is different. Everyone has different values, needs and wants.

Personally, I don't have the money for a reward jar. I wish I did. I already put every penny I can find into a savings tin, and when I am desperate to buy gas or a can of beans I dip into it. So that won't work for me.
Nor will eating out. For what I pay on one meal, I can make that last so much longer at home.

The reward I will be working on is to fit in my own clothes better. I don't have the money to buy more, but I already have some very nice clothes in a smaller size (that fit me a few months ago). I want to look good.
End goal, I want to look DAMN good.
I bought a size large Chicago Bears tee shirt a few months ago. I have had that sucker hanging up.
I will wear it and look good in it. That's a little way down the road, and that's fine. That's absolutely ok.
The Chicago Bears have a phrase "Bear Down." that's where "Don Bears Down" comes from.

But I am interested in other reward systems, what has worked for YOU. What have you tried? What didn't work? What did and why did it?

I think with a bit of sharing we can develop a good system and find something for others who may be struggling to find something. Or maybe they just need something different.

In my opinion, whatever works for you is the best system.