Ideas for a One-derland reward?

but I also see some potential hassles of childcare standing in my way too - my MIL who I live 5 minutes from can't usually watch my kids (I'm getting a sinking feeling that she isn't overly fond of me or her grandkids but she loves her other grandkids and is willing to watch them all the time....) and working around my husband's work schedule is a pain because he doesn't want to watch the kids when he gets home from work, and I have zero friends near me who could watch them and I don't trust babysitters lol. So...I feel like I have to figure out this hurdle before I can actually crank my fitness into high gear.

Do any of the gyms near you offer childcare? I know that amenity might increase the cost, but it makes things a bit easier for parents.

Amazing job, what a milestone! I'm working on a similar goal myself so this is truly encouraging!
I second what others have said about the gym membership - get one, but not as a reward, as maintenance (furthermore what exercise do you ENJOY? Maybe a yoga studio is more your hype, or a kickboxing gym? Keep it FUN). What are some self care habits you wish you did more of - what feels really indulgent without going over budget? Maybe a deluxe mani/pedi, or a cute new outfit you've always wanted but never felt ready to buy? Do something to show yourself off, you deserve it!

Melissa,

I think you should aim at something that is a bit of a stretch to treat yourself with, not just something routine you might have done anyway.

I am a middle age male, so what is a treat for me will likely be much different. However, I set intermittent treats for every 10 pounds lost after the first 20. For me, this was a new and nice watch ($35-$500), but nothing extravagant for each reward. I chose these because I like a variety of watches already. My original starting goal was to lose 190lbs. Upon hitting the goal, my last reward was going to be a gold ring I wanted for a long time. I could have easily just bought any of these awards, but I wanted to make them mean something. I bought 2 watch boxes that held 8 each for a total of 16 so I could virtually “watch” my progress grow on my valet. I’m down 160 so far, so getting really close to goal, now. I haven’t bought all awards yet. 3 slots still have IOUs in them so I can take my time to enjoy shopping for what I really want. Since I’m so close, I decided to set another stretch for me to reach another 10 down. If I hit this goal and maintain for a year, I’m buying myself a luxury watch to fill the last slot. I said all that to say I used something I'm already really into and rationed them into milestones I could look forward to. The empty slots in the boxes make me want to stay consistent so I can fill them via the rules I set up. It’s really been fun. When I am done, I’ll have a displayable set I can look at to remember and celebrate the victories.

For you, it sounds like experiences and pampering are both things you enjoy. You seem less motivated by material items, and that’s probably better for you. Maybe you can document your awards, like travel or pampering as they happen and make a photo album you flip through to remember the experiences enjoy the victories all over. You can do this physically or online, or both. Flip through with friends and family and tell them your stories. You may motivate others to follow through to their own best selves.

Congratulations on your progress, and get ready to celebrate!

melissaaridgeway wrote: »

12Sarah2015 wrote: »

Do you own your house? If so buy a treadmill instead of going to the gym. It’s easier doing at night when kids are asleep. If your renting maybe buy a skipping rope or weights, resistance band or something

Unfortunately I live in option #3: a camper. I have zero room for anything else (I don't even have an oven for goodness sakes....I feel like an oven is a basic human necessity lol). We will eventually build a house on our 67 acres we live on, but that's going to be at least a year down the road before we even start. In the meantime I do some running around our property and around our "neighborhood" (though last time I went out I was chased by a territorial Chihuahua and almost bitten so that was fun) but in addition to cardio, I would like to add some weighted workouts and have access to workout equipment I don't have. Also, not being chased by dogs or evil bugs the size of dogs would be a plus (I'll never get used to country life. I think I saw a horsefly the size of a Chihuahua the other day.)

If the idea of exercise toys appeals at all, there are some very compact options that would maybe be camper-friendly, like a nice set of resistance bands or even a hanging TRX travel setup.

Another option in that range would be self-massage tools. A foam roller is nice but a little bulky, but another option is massage roller sticks, the bumpy-ball foot massagers, and other things of that nature. (I love my self-massage tools.)

On the clothes front, if it would be a boost to have some things that fit better, there are certain styles that are size-change friendly, could be bought to just fit now, but still work for quite a while. One example that carried me through a fair period of loss was some loose-leg linen pants that have an elastic-plus-drawstring waist. They're nice enough for casual office or similar not-super-casual events, as well as for casual wear - the top and accessories make a huge difference. I found some at Costco at just the right time (very affordable) so bought them in navy, black, and natural linen colors. If you wear dresses or tunic tops, the ones with a tie at the back, or a self-tie belt, are quite size-flexible, too.

I like the professional massage/spa day kind of options, too. Concert tickets or a play or other performance might be an option, too, if you like that sort of thing.

I heard wolfman's comment about a new bike at goal (upthread here, but mentioned before) , and realized I'd missed my chance to self-justify a new boat at goal weight (I'm an avid rower, sometime canoeist/kayaker). Oh, well!

You're in South Carolina....how about a weekend at the beach? The beach is my happy place!

Way to go on the weight loss! I kind of skimmed over the ideas posted, and honestly I'd do something you consider a splurge. I'm 10 lbs away myself and said I'd go get my hair colored professionally (I usually do the coloring/bleaching/etc myself) or finally get a family portrait done. (My kids are 19 and 27 and we've NEVER had one done)

Maybe put a wish list of items you'd like to do/have done/to purchase and put them in a random number generator or cut them up and put them in a bowl, then pick one for every time you hit a goal?

Ex for me,

199 haircut and color
190 gym membership/new fitness tracker/weight set (or whatever you want?)
180 new bag or jewelry item
170 new tattoo or get family portrait taken
160 Cruise!

Maybe now's a good time to think about what you might have been unable to do at a heavier weight. For an upcoming milestone I plan to go horseback riding. On my last milestone I did a float pod. It was something frivolous I wanted to try but didn't want to spend the money on. To me, that makes it a reward. Clothes are something I'm going to buy at some point regardless. The first milestone I hit was just logging for 90 days in a row. I bought a puzzle ring on etsy. Again, just something I wanted but it wasn't needed so I wouldn't normally buy.