Rewarding yourself

[LuvTigger]

I know all of you have pretty specific goals, but just wondering how many of you have set rewards for yourselves for reaching goals, and if you're willing to share, what you will be or have rewarded yourself with?

My goal is to lose 50 pounds total, and I'm thinking that when I reach the 25 pound mark, I might treat myself to a facial and massage at a local spa (I really need it NOW, but I have to remember the concept of "delayed gratification"!).

Another idea is to put some money away for each pound I lose, then when I reach my goal weight, treat myself to a clothing shopping spree. Or maybe I'll do both the spa at the halfway point, and shopping spree at the end!

 

[Harambe]

I am using my Disney trip in January as my reward! Although I will still go if I don't lose any weight - I would love to be able to keep up with my family and not be camera shy the whole trip! So if I do manage to drop some significant weight, I'll be keeping those Disney Photographers pretty busy!

 

[SnackyStacky]

I think the whole concept of rewarding yourself for goals is a great one!!!!

When I was under 300 pounds, I treated myself to a bathroom scale, since they could finally weigh me!

When I was able to fit into them, I bought a pair of jeans at Target.

When I got even smaller than that, I started buying some clothes at the trendy stores....Aeropostale, Gap, J. Crew, Express Men.....

My ultimate reward though will be my honeymoon. For the first time, I'll be able to go to Disney World and not be self-concious, or camera shy. We're going all out. Staying at a deluxe resort, using premium annual passes and visiting the water parks, Disney Quest.....that's my ultimate reward for hitting my goal weight.

Things like that. Sometimes if I hit a mini-goal, I do something as simple as taking a ride.

 

[audflash]

First thing I thought of was food...

I like Dan's idea about clothes, though!

 

[bunnyfoo]

Definitely clothes but I also like the idea of a massage or a day at the spa!

 

[RaySharpton]

This is a great thread. I never really thought of rewards before.

I like everyone's ideas, and I can relate with Dan's thoughts.

My wish is that after losing enough weight that I may walk around WDW without the need of an ECV, or worried about whether or not I'm slowing my other DISer friends down at DIS meets at WDW. And to walk anywhere, all night at work without pain and shortness of breath. I am constantly worried about losing my job because everyone else is ten to twenty years younger than me and healthy.

So, I guess that my long term reward is to walk and to walk and to walk without a thought of whether or not I might have to plan ahead of time.

I can't even dream of running.

God bless you, best wishes, and encouragement, RaySharpton

 

[nativetxn]

Ray, at the rate you are going you will be running circles around the rest of us in December!

Am I the only person getting overly excited about December? I can't wait for WISH con.

My problem with rewards is that I'm completely 100% spoiled rotten. I have been for years. If I want something I just go get it. My husband is always bringing me gifts for no reason at all. I can't think of any rewards for my "mini goals".

I could think of WDW related ones like, adding a day to a trip as a reward but with the way you have to plan these trips in advance it isn't easy to reap a reward like that....

I've got to think more on this because working out is my weak area. If I could think of a neat reward for working out and not skipping any days no matter what--I would do better, I'll bet.

I don't get excited about facials or massages, I have manicures and pedicures regularly, buying new clothing is not a big reward for me. I need to think of something really neat.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[LuvTigger]

nativetxn,

Can your DH have a chat with my BF??? Just kidding! I'm sure if he had the means he'd spoil me too.

Anyhow, I was thinking that since you don't really need/want anything additional for yourself, maybe you could use reaching your goal as an incentive to do something for someone else? Maybe a needy family, or a good friend who would love something like a spa-day, etc? You have such a giving heart that I think doing something for someone else would give you as much pleasure, or more, than doing something for yourself.

 

[disboo]

I am surprised to find that I am excited by some new clothes. I just reached a snug size 18 - down from 28/30!!! Instead of wearing my baggy old clothes, I wear the new ones that show off that I have a waist and that the butt is greatly diminished - - and the compliments are ASTOUNDING! Even people who know I've lost weight and have seen me recently are now able to see the current me. SO, I decided to go ahead and buy some clothes every 20 pounds or so, even though I know they will only "last" a few months. Never thought I'd see a size 18 again, and never thought I'd be shopping in the regular size racks!

 

[Beastlover]

I think you read my mind!! I've been beating myself up trying to come up with something!!! My DH said to me today that I should have a reward for a mini goal in mind. He suggested I have something I have been dreaming of, to reward myself for doing such a great job! I am afraid of the food reward, for fear of falling off the wagon, and also for fear of having that carb hangover! I told him it wasn't worth having a reward if it was going to make me feel like sh_t later! He said I should come up with something for a halfway mark reward. I don't know about buying new clothes, because if I am only halfway, then I feel like its a waste!! Maybe just 1 new outfit?

 

[Harambe]

Beastlover and Nativetx- how about something more on the line of jewelry? A nice new Mickey watch - or Tinkerbell to remind you that you would now look good in a tiny fairy outfit!!!!!

 

[bunnyfoo]

I like the jewellery idea I was just on the Tiffany's website... lots of cute but very expensive trinkets!

 

[msteddom]

I do a manicure/peticure, or buy myself a new book or two or three or four.

 

[LuvTigger]

Harambe,

Thank you for the jewelry suggestion! I am not a big jewelry fanatic, but BF works for a high-end jewelry company (shameless plug for Maui Divers for anyone visiting Hawaii!). Maybe I could get him to buy me something nice when I reach my goal???

 

[Lynn CC]

I'm with you Katholyn. After years of presents from DH, I finally asked him not to "surprise" me so much! My son loves it though!

The only thing I can think of is a food reward when I reach my goals. I don't know how to get out of that mindset? All I can think of is Apple Pies, Cheescake and that's after a big bowl of Pasta. Yikes, I can't believe I just typed that.

It will just have to be sugar free desserts and maybe a 1/4 cup of Lowcarb pasta! See.... it just me a little longer to realize Atkins is a lifestyle! I will not go back to eating carbs, no way, not this time around!
Getting back to the reward, I don't think I need one. It may sound corny but just getting up and enjoying a healthy day each day is good enough for me!
I think it's great that all of you reward yourselves though, I like reading about your goals!

 

[bliss4us]

I just ordered my first little reward!

I told myself a few days ago that when I reached a five-pound loss, I would get myself this CD of cowboy songs from the 1930s and 1940s. Strange? Yes. Effective? Heck, yeah.

I weighed in with a six-pound total loss this morning. Gene Autrey, here I come! I really wanted to eat everything in the house this weekend, too, but held off because I knew that last week I was only a pound away from my little treat!!!

Daisy

 

[SnackyStacky]

Katholyn, I can't give you specifics but here's a little bit of thought on how I give myself non-food rewards:

First I have to say Katholyn that I feel INCREDIBLY bad for your family!!!! Shopping for your birthday or Christmas must be a nightmare!!!!

Anyway, you have to stop and think for a moment about the one thing that you want that you either (a) don't get very often or (b) don't ever get.

I have friends spread out ALL over the country, and while instant messaging is a great tool, it never really can take the place of actually talking. I don't always find the time to call my out-of-town friends like I find the time for local friends. That has been a reward for me. I don't get it very often. And think how great that phone call is when I tell the person on the other end how much weight I've lost. Or in your case, how much you've been sticking to your exercise regimen!

My fiancée is studying for the bar, and has been since May. I find that if she has a free moment or two, it's nice to grab some wonderful music, and hop in the car and take a drive out to a nice scenic area. I love getting to spend time just catching up with her, and just being with her.

Relating to the last one, because Lisa's studying for the bar, I'M always on the move. Grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, tending to dogs......I really like to take an hour out of the day, and catch up on these boards, or read a book, or play a video game. Some sort of hour where it's just me, and a WHOLE lotta quiet!

Those are just some examples from my own life. Like I said, I do the clothes thing and whatnot too, but I enjoy those non-material ones too.

AND, if all else fails, it's simply a matter of denying the instant-gratification factor. If there's some luxury item that you certainly don't need, but REALLY want, don't buy it immediately. Tell yourself that you can only have it once you've reached whatever goal you set for yourself. Have your husband help you. Talk to him and tell him that while you love the just-because gifts, it would help if instead of giving them to you just-because, ask him if he could give them to you when you've reached your goal.

And if that all still can't help you, then you really are the person who has EVERYTHING!!!!!! (And if that's the case, would you care to adopt me? I don't eat too much, and I take up very little space! )

 

[Minniespal]

I reward myself by everytime I lose 5 pounds I buy myself a new handbag. I'm thinking once I get to goal I am going to treat myself to another tattoo, something to remind me that I am in charge of myself and what I am capable of doing to my body.