Reward Systems

amanda0124
amanda0124 Posts: 6 Member
in Motivation and Support
Does anyone reward themselves for a goal reached in a certain amount of time? If so do you reward yourself with a cheat day or meal or something materialistic like shoes or something like that? I am trying to figure out a reward to look forward to after achieving my goal. Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • mlauraa
    mlauraa Posts: 166 Member
    I used to think that a cheat day could be considered a reward, but if the next day you feel like S**t and regretted the cheat meal, i don't think it is a reward. A reward is something that will make you feel go about your accomplishments. I would say I new outfit. New workout gear. Getting your nails done. Maybe new hair color, a tattoo? Hope this helped :-)
  • prettygirlstorm1
    prettygirlstorm1 Posts: 721 Member
    I told myself that for every 10 lbs I will buy myself something special. A new pair of underwear, a special body wash or lotion, treat myself to a pedicure. When I get to 20 pounds I am going to buy a new outfit. I try not to reward myself with food that seems to defeat the purpose.
  • VelveteenArabian
    VelveteenArabian Posts: 758 Member
    It should be something that you wouldn't get otherwise. If you're already going to the salon for example, that's not a reward unless you won't go if you don't make the goal. However, an upgrade to a service could be a reward - maybe you'll get a new color, or pay for coloring, or maybe get the fancy designs on your nails or whatever.

    In other words...IMO, if it's a service, you would either have to to without it or do an upgrade as a reward. If it's material goods you'll have to be willing to just go without it.
  • benniesmother
    benniesmother Posts: 269 Member
    I hadn't had a professional haircut for 2 1/2 years, so when I hit my 20 lb mark I went for a haircut. It made me feel good, and it wasn't a food reward.
    When I hit my 30 lb mark, I am going to buy teeth whitening strips. It sounds stupid, but I've wanted them forever and cannot justify spending the money on something that seems so vein. however, I feel that it will help me feel good about myself, and it's another reward that isn't food :)
  • pizzmor
    pizzmor Posts: 37
    For me, I can't allow cheats, as rewards of otherwise, because they go from cheat days to cheat weeks, etc. I am trying to adopt a different outlook on food and my health, so I am thinking I will just let the fact that I hit my goal reward enough. My reasoning is that in seeking comfort and satisfaction in the act of losing weight, I won't feel like I am missing anything by not rewarding myself with food I shouldn't eat.

    Not sure if that makes sense. :)
  • amanda0124
    amanda0124 Posts: 6 Member
    Thanks! Yeah I was thinking like maybe going and getting a pedicure or maybe buying a new outfit. But I dont really want to buy any new clothes until I am at my final goal weight, so I guess that could be a reward to look forward to, and maybe do small things along the way for every 5lbs or so. I totally agree about the cheat meals/days... bc it is sort of defeating the purpose of losing weight. The way I look at it, if I am craving something in particular, like say, a candybar, I should eat it bc if I dont then I will eat everything around bc I am not satisfying the craving. I also tell myself, you will have to make up for this later, and I try to make sure that I do extra that day to make up for the extra calories.

    All of these are good ideas! Thanks!
  • spoiledpuppies
    spoiledpuppies Posts: 675 Member
    I "schedule" my rewards differently. I'm really diligent and consistent with my logging. So I know that as long as I'm logging, I'm closer to my goal, whatever that ultimately ends up being. So rather than set a certain weight to reward myself about, I celebrated 100 days of logging with a massage -- my second ever in my life, so definitely not something I would normally do. I'm not sure yet what I'll do at 200 (or if I'll celebrate 150).
  • ChiaGnome
    ChiaGnome Posts: 179 Member
    No food rewards for me - I'm purposefully disassociating food from rewards. I started at 215/220 lbs and my ultimate goal is 145 lbs. I made a chart breaking my weight down into 5 lbs increments and listed luxury rewards next to each goal. Some were big, some were small.

    Examples:
    -I got a haircut at 210 lbs. - which if funny because I donated to Pantene Beautiful lengths and didn't even pay for the cut and style.
    -Bought real running shoes at 195 lbs.
    -Held on to a gift certificate a friend gave me for a pedicure until I was down to 185 (Just happened this Monday!).

    When I get down to 170 I plan on getting my very 1st professional massage (I bought a Groupon for a $30 1 hour massage). At 155 I will allow myself to buy one of the unique, beautiful dresses form the boutique stores downtown. And when I get to my ultimate goal of 145 lbs., I will go on a warm-weather vacation - bathing suit here I come!

    Rewards keep me motivated and I take great pride in attaining each small, reasonable goal. They add up!
  • Urban_Princess
    Urban_Princess Posts: 219 Member
    No food rewards for me - I'm purposefully disassociating food from rewards. I started at 215/220 lbs and my ultimate goal is 145 lbs. I made a chart breaking my weight down into 5 lbs increments and listed luxury rewards next to each goal. Some were big, some were small.

    Examples:
    -I got a haircut at 210 lbs. - which if funny because I donated to Pantene Beautiful lengths and didn't even pay for the cut and style.
    -Bought real running shoes at 195 lbs.
    -Held on to a gift certificate a friend gave me for a pedicure until I was down to 185 (Just happened this Monday!).

    When I get down to 170 I plan on getting my very 1st professional massage (I bought a Groupon for a $30 1 hour massage). At 155 I will allow myself to buy one of the unique, beautiful dresses form the boutique stores downtown. And when I get to my ultimate goal of 145 lbs., I will go on a warm-weather vacation - bathing suit here I come!

    Rewards keep me motivated and I take great pride in attaining each small, reasonable goal. They add up!

    that sounds great! I remember seeing a reward system featured on Oprah years ago and i thought it was a novel idea. I will try this out too! I've only lost 11kg so far so I will start my first reward at 200 lbs with a new outfit (which i'll need since my clothes are falling off me already)!
  • bacitracin
    bacitracin Posts: 921 Member
    I don't reward myself with "treats". I'm not a dog.
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    I set walking goals. I bought new sneakers after the first 100 miles and am planning some spa time after the next 50. It gets me out of the house on those cold mornings when I just don't feel like moving.
  • keeptehpeace
    keeptehpeace Posts: 189 Member
    I don't reward myself with "treats". I'm not a dog.
    this, my "treat" is looking and feeling better in myself

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