What else can I reward myself with?
amandawknight
Posts: 6 Member
As is everyone, I am short on time, so food is a thing that I can "reward" myself with in the moment that is quick, satisfying and comforting (fast forward 10 minutes after eating and I feel like a bloated hopeless pig!). I use food when I'm stressed, when something good has happened, etc. I'm tired of using food, but need ideas to help me out as this is a big problem for me!
0
Replies
-
The feeling of having done something well or accomplished something should be reward enough. As for stress. Talking to a good friend, working out, doing something physical and strenuous are great outlets for stress. Eating only adds to your stress when you then feel bad about eating and your weight. If you don't have time, make time. Most people who say they don't have time actually do.0
-
For me, the ultimate reward is new socks. I just love them... weird, I know. But... you gotta know what little things you love and socks that have never been washed, I just love them. Other good things: use great smelling lotion only when you "need" a reward, nail polish, flowers, burn a great smelling candle, also... I don't drink soda hardly ever... so a BIG reward for me is a diet rootbeer! Or diet gingerale!!!!0
-
BOOZE!
Or, I don't know, shoes or something0 -
amandawknight wrote: »As is everyone, I am short on time, so food is a thing that I can "reward" myself with in the moment that is quick, satisfying and comforting (fast forward 10 minutes after eating and I feel like a bloated hopeless pig!). I use food when I'm stressed, when something good has happened, etc. I'm tired of using food, but need ideas to help me out as this is a big problem for me!
Why do you need to reward yourself?
0 -
How about giving yourself 10 minutes to sit somewhere quiet with no distractions, maybe put on your favourite music and just zone out, or better yet, meditate. Meditation is the best thing for stress, there are plenty of guided meditations on YouTube. Or for quick (under half an hour) things you could: have a nice bubble bath (glass of wine optional); get a quick manicure/pedicure/neck massage; telephone a good friend for a chat; chill out in a sunny spot with a cup of tea; play a game with your family; get your hair washed and dried at a salon; buy some new workout clothes; buy a charm bracelet and add a charm each time you reach a goal; if you have kids ask your spouse/parents/friends to babysit for a night and do something for you :-)0
-
Depends what you're rewarding yourself for, with and how frequently! I know some people say you should only think about food as fuel but I still reward myself but you've got to make sure it fits in your calories for the day. If it's a hot day or I'm at the beach or park go for an ice lolly instead of an ice cream. Have one biscuit not an entire packet. If you can't handle that just stop buying it.
If it's celebratory meals just make the right decisions or adjust the rest of your day to stay on track. And exercise.
What's your living arrangement like? I'm way less likely to snack and forage if my husband's home as I'm embarrassed about being a pig. If we're sharing a bag of popcorn with the kids I'll weigh it out into bowls so I know how much I'm having (less arguing from the kids about sharing too).0 -
massage
new workout clothes
trip to the sauna
new shoes
0 -
It sounds like you're using food as a way to deal with various emotions. Overcoming this usually means replacing this destructive habit with one that is more constructive. The hard part is finding something that actually does make you feel better as much as eating your comfort foods does. It might take some time trying different things to figure this out. Personally, I find keeping a box with fruity hand creams, incense, special bath bubbles, meditation cds.. (basically anything you find pleasurable) can be helpful. The links I'm about to post are actually intended for people with BPD as self-soothing techiques but might be useful for you.
http://www.dbtselfhelp.com/html/self-sooth.html
http://healthofmind.tumblr.com/post/22571448384/self-soothing-sensory-kit
ALSO. Maybe TMI but another way to reward yourself is with an orgasm- enlist a partner or chill out in the bath or wherever with an erotic novel and a toy
1 -
amandawknight wrote: »As is everyone, I am short on time, so food is a thing that I can "reward" myself with in the moment that is quick, satisfying and comforting (fast forward 10 minutes after eating and I feel like a bloated hopeless pig!). I use food when I'm stressed, when something good has happened, etc. I'm tired of using food, but need ideas to help me out as this is a big problem for me!
Isn't losing weight and feeling healthier reward enough? I find it strange that people need a 'reward' to improve their health0 -
What do you need to reward yourself for? If you continue in the way you have in the past you will continue to be the same person (probably fat) that you have been. If I were you, I'd think the reward for deciding to get healthy would be enough.0
-
I totally get where you're coming from! My newest splurge when I want a treat is a flavored seltzer water. Polar makes seasonal offerings. I just had a "Mai tai" flavored water yesterday!0
-
An art or pottery class id's a good reward.
Oh, or a good book in a quiet place outside like a park or field. It depends on what you're into.0 -
amandawknight wrote: »As is everyone, I am short on time, so food is a thing that I can "reward" myself with in the moment that is quick, satisfying and comforting (fast forward 10 minutes after eating and I feel like a bloated hopeless pig!). I use food when I'm stressed, when something good has happened, etc. I'm tired of using food, but need ideas to help me out as this is a big problem for me!
That is a mental/emotional change you need to work on. Those are the hardest habits to break, but also the ones that can really make the difference in a healthy lifestyle. I still struggle with it myself, but I find in moments I start getting that feeling to eat to feel rewarded, I do simple work tasks - do the dishes, work in the yard, or other accomplishment. That compensates for me. Odd, I know.
0 -
Are you looking for a reward for meeting a goal? Or are you looking for something to turn to for comfort instead of food?
If you're looking for substitutes to comfort food, a hot bath always works for me.0 -
Some things I use for comfort instead of food:
- Go for a walk, a run or a bike ride
- Call one of my good friends and laugh a while, or have a good cry, whatever the situation calls for
- Watch a cheesy movie or guilty pleasure TV show
- Put a record on the turntable and sit and listen to it for a while
- Curl up with a good book
- Make myself a hot mug of tea
- Go outside to the park on a nice day and people-watch
- Go see a comedy show
- Retail therapy (if I can afford it) -- in my case it's usually shoes
- And the biggie: TRAVEL!!! If I can go, that's the best balm. If I can't, due to lack of funds or time, sometimes if I'm really stressed, I'll plan imaginary trips. Yep, I'm weird, but it works.
0 -
Laying on the couch with a heating pad on my back (I work at a computer all day) with my tea, ebook and headphones in, while watching my hubby clean the kitchen. Works every time!0
-
I really believe that words have power....I'm trying to change some of my language when it comes to food.
"Treat" no longer means something edible.
A treat is a professional massage, a pedicure, new shoes, a good book......I adore (hoard) new kitchen gadgets, a treat is browsing the kitchen section in a good store and buying colorful measuring spoons or a fancy tea towel.
Weird, huh?0 -
So I used to be really, really bad about rewarding myself with food. I still do it sometimes (bubble tea!), but lately I have gotten back into reading and am using books and even online clothes shopping as some reward methods
The books are particularly enjoyable and relaxing! I like reading em in a hot bath or out in the park on a sunny day.0 -
Sorry, I missed the short on time. Maybe an audiobook. You can listen whenever you do other things (like driving, working out, chores, etc.)0
-
This content has been removed.
-
asflatasapancake wrote: »Like others have said, a movie, a book, some sort of sexual activity, bits of string, whatever floats your boat.
Bits of string?
hmmm0 -
This content has been removed.
-
A mani / pedi ? New clothes once you hit your small goals? I try to do this once in a while and it helps!0
-
Thanks to everyone who has provided constructive feed back about some things to replace food. It's a hard habit to break as food has always been the go to for celebration, stress, etc., but I'm working on it! For those of you who don't ever need to reward yourself because being healthy is all it takes, and you never want or have anything to celebrate in your life, well, let's just say we're different and more power to ya! 0
-
Hot sex0
-
I'm confused... reward for what?0
-
When you're stressed, cuddle your pet or a loved one, watch animals on YouTube, read, draw, build train sets.
When something good has happened, enjoy the happy hormones.
Good luck.
0 -
Instead of food rewards, I do a lot of self-care stuff.
A nice bath, homemade salt scrub, keeping my nails done, stuff like that. For a while, I was rewarding myself with nail polish because it is cheap, cheerful and calorie-free...so now I have a pretty big collection. I've also started to get into makeup, which I really never used when I was younger.
I reward myself with music too...much of that goes on my exercise playlists. It helps to keep me motivated.0 -
the goal should be reward enough0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 427 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions