Do you treat yourself after loosing a certain amount?

Seeing the scales move, fitting into new sizes and just seeing my body change is enough of a reward for me. And since I lose slowly and somewhat erratically, I suspect planned rewards would lead to more disappointment than motivation.

I bought myself new clothes and fitness gear as rewards for weight lost, so that I could enjoy my new body and newfound fitness. Buying myself food as a reward would reinforce some dysfunctional thinking and behavior about food. Would make as much sense as an alcoholic having a beer as a reward for sobriety lol. Okay, I realize it isn't exactly the same but my point is that in order to lose over a hundred pounds and keep it off for a year (which I've done) I had to change my way of thinking about food. To celebrate my breaking a bad behavior by engaging in that behavior would not make sense. Mentally associating the binge eating of high calorie/low nutrition food food with reward, comfort, etc. (especially as reward for the "torture" of doing healthy things) is what got me in this mess in the first place. I'm not saying I never have a cookie or anything, but I'm trying to do that in moderation and as part of an overall healthy diet, not some temping thing I'm deprived of.

Oh, and about days off MFP as rewards, I would say this is generally a bad idea for me. Over my past year of maintaining I have occasionally stopped logging for a few days, usually because I just wanted to eat freely and enjoy myself, and it results in setbacks. Over the past year I have picked up about 5 pounds of net weight that way ("net" meaning I would gain 3, lose 2, gain 5, lose 4, gain 4, lose 2, etc etc...always gaining a little more than I took back off). I am back here in serious weight loss mode again, trying to shave off 5 pounds that I need to "nip in the bud", plus a few extra that I've decided to lose, plus learn some things that help me break this cycle. Someday I would like to stop tracking, but need to do it not as a "splurge" but as a transition to a more intuitive way of managing my weight.

If you want a break from weight loss, I suggest that you just build that into the plan in a way that won't cause setbacks. I want to lose about 1/2-3/4 pounds per week but I have my tracker set at 1 pound loss per week but then override that on 2 days per week (when I eat to maintain). These aren't treats but just are higher calorie days that are part of my plan. I can use them whenever it makes sense, like if I am especially hungry that day, or taking a rest from exercising and not going to have a lot of calories added for that, or am going out to eat or a party that will have a lot of higher calorie food. This week I'm taking them on Thursday/Friday so I will be better fueled for a 5k race I'm doing on Saturday morning.

Lots of great advice here- I also think a "day off of MFP" is not a good reward. Like others have said, smaller clothing and benefits of weight loss is a good reward in itself, but if you really want to get yourself something, make it an experience or a non-food-related something.

I haven't officially "rewarded" myself while losing weight yet, but I am getting closer and closer to one of my major goals- to be under 200 lbs. I've decided that when I get there I'm going to get contacts, which is something I've wanted for a long time.

Not losing anymore but for me my treat was clothes and make up, I needed the clothes anyway as I got smaller and it was wonderful being able to buy things I really wanted to wear rather than just things that I had to buy to feel comfortable in, I felt more confident so experimented more with make up.

If I wanted a day off from MFP I would have just had one at any point, I know the odd day here and there doesn't make a difference in the grand scheme of things and although some people do like to log those days to see how their body reacts it's never bothered me, it's usually a birthday or something and I either can't be bothered or it's not practical because it involves meals from places that don't list calories and I wont spend a special occassion trying to guestimate them.

Food treats are already in my life, I have eaten ice cream every day this week within my calorie allowance for example so I don't feel I am lacking them or missing out on yummy things anyway, I eat all the foods but just more moderately than I used to.

But clothes, now I can never have too many of those

I don't use food as a reward, choosing healthier options that fit into my days worth works just fine. I like to use material objects for goals; a new outfit, shoes, heavier weights....

Tattoos.. amusement parks.. dance classes. Those are my treats

My treat was hopping on the scale this morning and being almost a pound under my goal weight. Some new clothes are in order as I've just been making do with what was in the closet (years of hoarding various sizes with hopes of one day wearing some of it). Now, everything is too big. @CooCooPuff that sounds like a good plan, I did that a few weeks ago and it's amazing how just a few more calories helps.

I have been buying most of my 'new' clothes from a thrift store during my weight loss. When I got to 49lbs down I went out and bought several brand new items. That was a huge treat.

AshleighAnn72 wrote: »

Hi,
If you treat yourself after, what do you have and how much do you lose for a treat?
I was thinking a stone, for a day off of MFP.

I prefer to not reward myself with food. I don't have the best relationship with it so that is counterproductive.

I DO reward myself with a new blouse or dress. Nothing like feeling good in your clothes to stay motivated.

Rewards are great, although I don't set specific times for them. A frequent reward is clothes, including workout clothes, which I usually buy at Goodwill! I can get so much more for my $$ this way and I don't like to spend retail $$ when I know it will fit me for only a few months. But, I don't get why a day off MFP would be a reward? Is logging a punishment? Logging helps most people be successful, so why would you reward yourself by stopping what makes you successful?

I've heard of other splurges such as getting a massage every 10 pounds, etc.