Non-food Rewards

Greetings!

A while back I saw a post from a person that showed the rewards she promised herself for each 10 pound weight loss. She felt it was important to use something other than food for rewards, so she had things like CDs, books, a facial, pedicure, etc. I think this is a great idea, but I'm having trouble choosing rewards.

Before I started counting calories, hubby and I began monthly budgeting with every extra dollar going to debt repayment. I don't want to buy CDs or books while we're paying off debt. I'm trying to learn how to enjoy things without owning them. For example, I visit the public library instead of the book store.

So if I rule out food rewards and I'm not interested in spending money on things, that really limits the "every 10 pounds" rewards. Do any of you have ideas? What do you use for rewards that don't involve food or cash?

Massages, bubble baths, watch a favorite old movie, reading a good book (anything that involves time to myself is rare and wonderful!)

Pedicures given to yourself in a bubble bath.  Nail polish and accessories are actually pretty cheap once you have the stuff.  You could also make time with a girlfriend to do each other's nails.

A day off where you do only the things that you want to do...no housework, no chores, read a book, go for a walk, etc.

You could make a short list of things that you really want that are reasonably priced that will contribute or help your weight loss and when you get to the next level buy one thing off the list.  I'm talking $10-20 here on ebay.  Yoga Toes, an investment or motivational book.

My husband actually helped me make up a "coupon" type booklet, with a goal and a reward on each individual sheet. I can redeem a coupon when I reach the gaol listed. I chose a variety of things, including :

a stress-free library trip (don't have to be home at a specific time to cook/clean/take care of pets/etc.),

a peaceful bubble bath (as long as I want, with no one knocking at the door),

a trip to the corn maze- to be used next week! ($1/person, and I've always wanted to go).

Basically, my rewards are to do things that I love, without having to fit them into everyone else's life/schedule/desires. Figure out what you would love to do, those things that you never seem to have time for, and make them your rewards!  

Shoe shopping because trying on clothes might make me feel down but shoes are always a good idea...haha...and if you don't have money or feel like you might be tempted leave ur wallet in the car

well your hubby seems involved so why you try when you reach your goal he takes you out to look at the stars or he makes dinner that night...

I know how you feel- I want rewards, but I don't have much money to spare. Like the above posters said, doing something nice for yourself and taking time to do it is the best. 

(I'm totally doing the corn maze thing, thanks for the idea)

Expensive makeup is a good one, I don't think I could justify buying Mac Pigment Eyeshadow if I didn't have a damn good reason to!

All great ideas.  Especially, being able to do things on MY time and not fitting them in to the family schedule.

Thanks!

All those are great ideas. I like the coupon book someone listed above.

As a side note....I think there is a "Wanted" poster up at the library for me, because I have such a problem returning books! They are always overdue. Waaaaay overdue. One time I had a fine of over $100.  I blame it on the parking at our library. There is none! And then of course, the kids! So that option is out for me!

When I do all my runs for the week for the C25K program, I use Itunes as a reward and download a few new songs to listen to for next weeks runs. Gives me something to look forward to.

Original Post by lulufit:

All those are great ideas. I like the coupon book someone listed above.

As a side note....I think there is a "Wanted" poster up at the library for me, because I have such a problem returning books! They are always overdue. Waaaaay overdue. One time I had a fine of over $100.  I blame it on the parking at our library. There is none! And then of course, the kids! So that option is out for me!

When I do all my runs for the week for the C25K program, I use Itunes as a reward and download a few new songs to listen to for next weeks runs. Gives me something to look forward to.

And to think that I was embarrassed over my puny little $60 fine one time!

I'm glad you posted this.  I forgot about rewards.  I think when I get to a sure size 16 (18 now) I will get me some o'that bare minerals make-up stuff.  

Original Post by blondemama:

I'm glad you posted this.  I forgot about rewards.  I think when I get to a sure size 16 (18 now) I will get me some o'that bare minerals make-up stuff.  

 bare minerals is awesome.  avon's stuff is pretty good to and less expensive

Ebay!

Treat yourself every 5 pounds and go for less expensive items.  A bottle of bubble bath, a scented candle, quality lotion (not the watered down wally world stuff).  Splurge on a magazine subscription.  You can find tons on ebay for around $5/year.  If you do 5 pounds/month, which is easily achievable, then you get 1 treat per month, and it's something to look forward to and doesn't seem so far out until your next treat.  And, it's not something that is going to break the budget one month.  Just budget in $5-$10 for each month.  That little bit isn't going to really hurt you long-term as far as paying off bills.  I mean $60-$120/year in the grand scheme of things is nothing.  :)

My problem with the usual rewards that people talk about is the time delay nature of them, or the long time commitment.  When I want a reward, say for doing a great job with a difficult customer, I want it NOW.  I can't take a bubble bath in the middle of work (well, I could, after which I'd have all the time in the world for my next bubble bath...)  but I can surely run down to the cafe for a cookie!    Ditto with frustrations.  If I've just had a "discussion" with my teenager about homework versus going to the mall, I can't take a bubble bath in the middle of making dinner.   However, there I am in the kitchen, and coincidentally, so is the ice cream...

Lately I've started trying to think of things I can do for 10 minutes anywhere and (almost) any time as a reward: listen to music, surf the web, draw a picture (I've just started learning), listen to books on tape, kick the kids off the TV and watch something I want to watch.   

I would love additional suggestions!

If you're looking for food rewards, they take time and preparation to make them healthy.  A bunch of fresh peppers, pea pods, etc.

You could also get some of the ghiradelli chocolate squares or the lindt chocolate balls and have just one at some point in the day when you feel that you've been particularly deserving.  The only problem is that if you have it in the morning then you're stuck with the rest of the day being nice/good with no reward.  Having more than about one a day defeats much of the purpose of cutting calories and exercising.

Another thing you could do is reward yourself with cash.  When you have one of those moments, give yourself a dollar for your you fund.

Great ideas!  The food and chocolate reward won't work for me--I've been rewarding myself with chocolate for too long!

I like the 10 minute idea--I need to think of some things I can do any time, any where. 

How about a walk to the store with 50 cents in your pocket and you can buy whatever is under 50 cents?  Whether it's a thing or something to eat would be up to you.  That's assuming that there's a store within walking distance, I actually have a 7-11, a corner market, and a tiny grocer about 10 minutes away.

I keep suggesting that people take just enough cash to buy what they want from the store and be done.  I preplan this kind of thing.

For me, I like to indulge at Starbuck's.  I'll get a non-fat latte or a kid's size hot chocolate and one of their spinach feta wraps...the calories are actually quite reasonable.

If you had the money to spend, how much do you think 10 pounds is worth?  I say for every 10 pounds, put fake money in a jar.  Then once all bills are paid off you can take the money that would have gone to bills, and pay yourself back.. enough to get yourself something pretty decent (new clothes!) 

Original Post by missechelle:

Original Post by blondemama:

I'm glad you posted this.  I forgot about rewards.  I think when I get to a sure size 16 (18 now) I will get me some o'that bare minerals make-up stuff.  

 bare minerals is awesome.  avon's stuff is pretty good to and less expensive

 Hey Ladies.....this is all about US!!  It is not just about the weight, it is skin and all!  The only New Years Res I have ever kept was the one to take better care of my skin and it all fits together!  The weight is coming off, I have been using Bare Escentials makeup and Philosophy skincare for 2 years now so my face looks as great as my up and coming new figure.....oh and I buy myself gifts on EBAY!  HAVE FUN..... LIFE IS UNCERTAIN!