Rewarding yourself

I can't do reward systems that are based on scale results. I have tried that in the past and it always failed. The rewards never come quick enough because of weight fluctuations. Knowing that I have done enough to lose 5 pounds or whatever the next mini goal is and it not show up for 2 more weeks on the scale just sucks.

The reason I always thought I needed a reward was because I was postponing happiness. I was choosing to be unhappy today to lose weight thinking I would be happy later. I don't do that anymore.

I don't need a reward system to eat. Eating is a reward. I might need a reward system if what I ate made me miserable or brought me no joy when I needed it. So I try to be happy with what I eat - no additional reward needed.

Since I am now fully aware of what weight loss and improved fitness means in terms of making my life happier that is another built in reward. I can do many things I could not do 20 months ago. I do not currently need an additional reward system for exercise for this reason.

I do get a sense of satisfaction when I log my food and stay within a weekly calorie budget. That does act like a small reward for me too. I like seeing my exercise calories get added in to even though I don't actually need them since I use a TDEE system.

New jeans or gym gear. I bought a pair of weight lift gloves, after going to class so many times, proving to myself this was not just a fad. I splurged on the not on sale rack at TJMaxx for gym pants and have even bought a pair of lululemon tights when I reached a different goal. Well because now that I am spending more time in gym clothes then any other clothes I need to look good at Costco. What little thing will give you glee? Weight loss will give you joy and happiness but sometimes a little glee, something flashy for you symbolizing you made it does something for the ego, has you smiling under your sweat...

At the risk of sounding sanctimonious, losing the weight, looking better and feeling stronger is its own reward for me. I'd never reward myself with food or drink, just as I'd never punish myself for food transgressions by forcing myself to do extra exercise. That way lies failure, for me.

I know it's corny but I've been living with chronic pain for a long time and the best gift is increased mobility and a stronger spine. I'm able to do routine things I wasn't able to before. I got my A1C low enough to stop medication, happened the same day I hit goal.

I've waited to hit 5lb goals before buying new clothes, but didn't actually plan rewards ahead of time. I just reached goal and realized I wasn't really prepared to hit 100lbs down and didn't have a reward scheduled aside of buying a permanent wardrobe, I don't think I really thought I'd make it. I have a few kitchen items I want but will wait until after Christmas for a splurge.

I have a goal chart, and it's things like
Weight below 200
No longer obese BMI
100 pounds lost
BMI overweight to normal
Goal weight

Each time I hit one of those goals I buy myself a piece of jewelry. Why jewelry? Because I used to reward myself with food, I need to break that habit, and jewelry last longer. Plus each time I wear the jewelry I am reminded of my achievement (and would feel guilty wearing it if I backslid into weight gain).
For me, this works. I am a person who likes visual rewards and things that are tangible. Some say they buy new jeans etc, but I like something more special to me.
You'll have to decide your reward...it can be anything from just being proud of yourself all the way up to a vacation. Do what feels right FOR YOU

I try to reward my good habits rather than the results. I used to have weight loss rewards but would always talk myself out of actually getting them because it kind of felt like I was giving myself a huge reward for stepping on a scale, lol. Now I use Habitica and reward myself with "coins" each time I complete a good habit like exercising or filling in my food diary. I set "prices" for rewards I was and spend them when I have enough coins.

kshama2001 wrote: »

I was thinking of this thread yesterday when I was hiking in the woods on windy, twist trails. I felt kind of like a rat in a maze. However, cheese wasn't the reward - the process itself was rewarding.

I see this as an evolution of thought. For someone new they tend to look at the destination as the reward, but the experienced understand that the journey itself is the reward.