What else can I reward myself with?
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When I achieve a goal, I usually reward myself with something that makes me feel fabulously joyful. Big goals, like passing my personal training certification, I spend money - lol.
I also post goals I achieve on Facebook. The feedback I get is very reinforcing.0 -
Sorry to push but ...
Achieve goals such as ... ?
I ask because I've been thinking through my last, say, 6 months or year ... and I can't think of any goals I've achieved big enough to want to celebrate.0 -
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sunn_lighter wrote: »Sorry to push but ...
Achieve goals such as ... ?
I ask because I've been thinking through my last, say, 6 months or year ... and I can't think of any goals I've achieved big enough to want to celebrate.
I'll explain for me. I recently went through some incredibly stressful medical testing, very anxiety provoking for my husband and myself. During the same time he was negotiating a new contract that effected our sole means of income. It was an incredibly stressful time. Coming out on the the other side (contract signed, tests done), some people may take a break or regroup by going out to a nice dinner and popping a bottle of champaign. Instead, we will take some time to recognize what we've gone through by finding a different way to relax/recuperate that doesn't involve food/drink (likely a weekend fishing trip).
Maybe you are hung up on the word "reward", but I think it's mentally healthy to take time to recognize stressful events coming to an end and make a point to relax in a special/fun way. IMO it's also mentally healthy to recognize when you've achieved a goal like getting a new job or passing a test. If you have a problem with the word "reward" it's just semantics.
Thanks for that.
Sort of related, perhaps ... in January, I went through two separate, unrelated surgeries/procedures to remove/check parts of me which had some likelihood of being cancer. I learned about the first on Dec 23 and was scheduled for surgery on Jan 12 ... and about 4 days before the surgery, I received a call about the other. They wanted me in ASAP, but I had to delay it a week because of the first surgery. That was stressful!
Fortunately one was all clear and the other only showed vague signs of a possibility that a cancer might occur in the future. I'm being monitored.
But I'm afraid it didn't occur to me to celebrate. Maybe I should have.
The only thing I did that might have resembled a celebration was to finalise the arrangements to start Grad School ... and to sign up here.
I just felt like I could get on with my life.
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I do it because it makes me feel good. Sure I could go get a massage whenever, but earning it by hitting my halfway mark is far more meaningful. As I get further along with my weight loss the rewards get more awesome, because the less I have to lose the harder it is and longer it takes.0
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I'm saying why do people feel the need to reward themselves for doing something they should have been doing all along? We are all in this struggle to lose weight because we were bad to ourselves and let ourselves live an unhealthy lifestyle and become overweight. I think it is an unhealthy mind set to think "I ate healthy today and exercised, I deserve something in return". It should just be part of your life.NoblankFRplease wrote: »^^ you obviously don't get the struggle not to have food in certain moments...
Do you reward yourself for showering in the morning or brushing your teeth? No, it's just a part of taking care of yourself. Just like healthy eating and exercise should be.
Everyone is different. We don't all have the same motivators just like we don't communicate the same way. Just like when you supervise a group of people. Some of them respond to verbal recognition of the things they have done, some want a physical representation of that, and some may just like the satisfaction of doing the work and find rewards to be a distraction.0 -
I'm saying why do people feel the need to reward themselves for doing something they should have been doing all along? We are all in this struggle to lose weight because we were bad to ourselves and let ourselves live an unhealthy lifestyle and become overweight. I think it is an unhealthy mind set to think "I ate healthy today and exercised, I deserve something in return". It should just be part of your life.NoblankFRplease wrote: »^^ you obviously don't get the struggle not to have food in certain moments...
Do you reward yourself for showering in the morning or brushing your teeth? No, it's just a part of taking care of yourself. Just like healthy eating and exercise should be.
Everyone is different. We don't all have the same motivators just like we don't communicate the same way. Just like when you supervise a group of people. Some of them respond to verbal recognition of the things they have done, some want a physical representation of that, and some may just like the satisfaction of doing the work and find rewards to be a distraction.
Helpful response! I think about runs ppl do whether it be a mud run or a 5k etc. ribbons are given, various sorts of fun items for taking part. I do think the person above has it explained it quite well.. we are all different and we communicate differently. When I work a job I get a pay check and feel good about what I've accomplished, I find that rewarding enough.
This feels different somehow... I enjoy pampering myself as my self esteem level goes up I treat myself kinder and reward (insert whatever word you're more comfy with..here) by whatever means I choose at the time.
I think the point that was made 'getting caught up in the word reward' might be why some of us are confused by what others of us have shared.
Cheers for a lovely weekend for each of us!! 0 -
Zentangles! They are awesome, fun and brings out your artiist and form of meditation!0
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Or new hobby like soap making, jewelry, crochet, collect stuff etc.
bath with candles and incense is lovely and relaxing music.
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Or reading, new nailpolish, new lipstick or makeup, new journal or self help book, new sports bra, sexy panties n bra set, new earrings, or hairthings. Piece of decor for home or painting. Things to make you feel beautiful, or home.0
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Cat videos on youtube0
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A little exercise, like yoga--something else body centered. I'll shop for skin care to hair care or make-up or some other take-care-of-myself thing. I'm not a mani-pedi person, but I know most people love them. Also, shoes.0
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Pedicure and a smaller sized piece of clothing work wonders.0
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Good grief people!
My original post was simply trying to encourage you to just be happy that you are losing weight and the fact that every pound you lose you are that much healthier.
In the end your biggest reward should be standing in front of the mirror and being happy with the body you see and loving the person looking back at you.
With that said I'm done with this thread.
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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?
hmmm
To a knitter, that means license to spend lavishly on quality yarn, much to your husband's chagrin.
That might or might not be my ultimate goal reward. I admit nothing.
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For me anything spa-like, zen, bathing, etc. is my treat. I dont spend money on clothes, purses, shoes, electronics, etc.
But i sure as heck spend money on Lush bath/body products, wax-tart melts for a good smelling home, body lotions/creams, manicuring/pedicuring, etc. I do most of this myself. It allows me to treat myself and feel pampered while still caring for the body i have. It's all about self-love, Namsayin0 -
If you're used to bubbling yourself along with food and drink, you can change the foods you treat yourself with. A nice helping of fresh fruit tastes as wonderful as the most calorific dessert, and it's full of nutrients. A slice of cantaloupe, a bowl of berries, a fresh peach, a crunchy apple, a bowl of fresh pineapple. Put it in a lovely bowl or on a beautiful plate, and take the time to really enjoy it.
There are lots of wonderful teas out there that have no calories. Sparkling water or iced tea with a twist of lemon or lime hits the spot in the summertime.
That tends to be a favorite of mine. Not as a reward, but as an unwind type of thing. I also like just browsing around the internet looking for new flavors.
A few minutes relaxing with a cup of tea is just bliss.
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47Jacqueline wrote: »I also post goals I achieve on Facebook. The feedback I get is very reinforcing.
Yep, that's my main way of celebrating good things. Friends are amazing.0 -
My reward is that I can shop for smaller cloth sizes!0
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Pick up some of these.
I love my Good Eater Award.
But seriously (although I am serious about my Good Eater Award), just take the time to do things you enjoy. Bubble baths, good books, a new haircut, whatever. And sometimes that can be food. I celebrate with cake and ice cream. Hell, I make cake and ice cream part of my normal day.0 -
ibamosaserreinas wrote: »I like to buy "rewards" that help me progress towards the next goal. One reward was getting a Fitbit. Another reward was picking up some weights to use at home. Another reward was buying the Power90 program.
I feel like I "earned" something cool and it will ultimately help me on my journey.
I love this idea!
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ajfuelling wrote: »For me, the ultimate reward is new socks. I just love them... weird, I know.
i love this! mine is underwear.0 -
Sorry to push but ...
Achieve goals such as ... ?
I ask because I've been thinking through my last, say, 6 months or year ... and I can't think of any goals I've achieved big enough to want to celebrate.
Goals are personal measures - sorry that over the last year you don't feel you have anything to celebrate.
Over the last year;
I have reached (& exceeded) my target weight and been in maintenance for 2 months - that's a goal achieved for me.
I have gone from being 'unable to run', to running 5 miles, three times a week and running in 5K and 10K races.
I have overcome my severe fear of flying - another goal accomplished (& that's taken years, LOL!!).
All the above have been, for me, fairly major good turning points to a better life after many years of major bad turning points (lost jobs, divorce, bereavements).
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snoringcat wrote: »Sorry to push but ...
Achieve goals such as ... ?
I ask because I've been thinking through my last, say, 6 months or year ... and I can't think of any goals I've achieved big enough to want to celebrate.
Goals are personal measures - sorry that over the last year you don't feel you have anything to celebrate.
As I said ...The things I celebrate don't happen all that frequently ... it may be years before the next such celebration comes along ...
-- new job
-- graduate from most recent diploma or degree
-- ride a 1200K randonnee
And as I mentioned in another post above ... it didn't even occur to me to celebrate being cancer free.
I'm not sure why I only think of celebrating the big stuff.
However, after reading all this stuff over the past few days, I did entertain the idea of celebrating finishing my first grad course (last class tomorrow). Finishing a course isn't something I would normally celebrate ... but who knows ... maybe it's celebration worthy???snoringcat wrote: »Over the last year;
I have reached (& exceeded) my target weight and been in maintenance for 2 months - that's a goal achieved for me.
I have gone from being 'unable to run', to running 5 miles, three times a week and running in 5K and 10K races.
I have overcome my severe fear of flying - another goal accomplished (& that's taken years, LOL!!).
All the above have been, for me, fairly major good turning points to a better life after many years of major bad turning points (lost jobs, divorce, bereavements).
Congrats!
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snoringcat wrote: »Sorry to push but ...
Achieve goals such as ... ?
I ask because I've been thinking through my last, say, 6 months or year ... and I can't think of any goals I've achieved big enough to want to celebrate.
Goals are personal measures - sorry that over the last year you don't feel you have anything to celebrate.
As I said ...The things I celebrate don't happen all that frequently ... it may be years before the next such celebration comes along ...
-- new job
-- graduate from most recent diploma or degree
-- ride a 1200K randonnee
And as I mentioned in another post above ... it didn't even occur to me to celebrate being cancer free.
I'm not sure why I only think of celebrating the big stuff.
However, after reading all this stuff over the past few days, I did entertain the idea of celebrating finishing my first grad course (last class tomorrow). Finishing a course isn't something I would normally celebrate ... but who knows ... maybe it's celebration worthy???snoringcat wrote: »Over the last year;
I have reached (& exceeded) my target weight and been in maintenance for 2 months - that's a goal achieved for me.
I have gone from being 'unable to run', to running 5 miles, three times a week and running in 5K and 10K races.
I have overcome my severe fear of flying - another goal accomplished (& that's taken years, LOL!!).
All the above have been, for me, fairly major good turning points to a better life after many years of major bad turning points (lost jobs, divorce, bereavements).
Congrats!
You're not alone. It doesn't occur to me to "celebrate" things either. To me, reaching a goal is celebration enough. It's just a different mind set.
The things that people list as rewards are just things to buy when I need them.
Maybe I will try to think of having celebrations more often. In my head, that will mean a party with friends!
Also, yay on being cancer free and also grad school!
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Good grief, some of you get a little too serious about this. I think everyone likes to have things to look forward to. That was all I was referring to in my OP. I usually look forward to a big meal at my favorite restaurant for celebration (i.e. The school year is over, I got the position at my school that I interviewed for, birthdays, kid free night out with hubby, etc.) Using a big meal as my thing to look forward to is something I want to change Also, just little rewards for short term goals...I made it through the day with my most challenging group of students yet and everyone is still alive! So the comments about "what do you need a reward for" etc. are useless. I wasn't asking if anyone thought I should reward myself. I was asking for how others who do reward themselves do it in a non food way. Thank you to those who have posted ideas I really appreciate it, and I will be using many of them. To the others, if you don't have anything useful to say to contribute to a post, why waste the keystrokes?!
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There's nothing wrong with rewarding yourself (extrinsic rewards).
Some people plan something for every 5 or 10 lb, some only hit the big milestones,
a few only plan a big to-do when they hit goal (which, personally, I think is a bad idea;
there's more motivation in small rewards along the way).
Things I've done or planned as I've hit milestones:
new cute colorful fun socks
new better-quality colorful earbuds (ties into working out)
clothes that fit (a necessity!)
music CD's (some people would buy mp3's)
a picnic, following (or part of) a hike in a state park I haven't been to before
nice lotion, bath gel, or perfume
earrings
books (relaxation)
when I hit 100 lb lost, a friend is getting me a massage session
when I get to goal (110 lb from my highest) I'll get a couple sets of nice lingerie
And of course, just feeling better & knowing I've accomplished so much is a great reward!
You could also find low-cal but tasty treats (flavor club soda with stevia drops; 40-cal
fudgesicles; blend frozen fruit with nonfat milk for a 'shake'), or slightly higher-cal treats
but keep them as treats and have a very small amount (I like 70% dark chocolate).0 -
I have my eye on a Marc Jacobs bag for when I get into the healthy BMI range. Also: who are these people who don't need rewards? I'm all about treats for meeting goals. Some treats are bigger than others, but boy, I like to see a carrot at the end of the stick. 0
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