A new (?) idea for mini-goal "rewards"

A recent topic on how to reward ourselves as we reach interim goals got me thinking.  Even though I have been buying little things for myself at each mini-goal, I didn't really find it very "rewarding".  I decided I needed something that would make my success more tangible to me, and also maybe "atone" a little for all the self-absorption that improving my health has seemed to engender. 

I just achieved another 10-pound mini goal, bringing my total lost to about 40 pounds (about 30 since discovering CC).

I went to Costco and bought:

• All-natural peanut butter (2 jars)
• Albacore tuna in water (8 cans)
• Chicken breast in water (6 cans)
• Cheerios (big box)
• Quaker Granola (double pouch)
• Kidney beans (8 cans)
• Diced tomatoes (12 cans)
• Graham crackers (big box)

About 40 pounds of food.  It cost about $60.  It represents a serious commitment to my own better health (priceless).

Today, I will drop by the local food bank and donate this to people who have a much greater need for it than I had a need for the 40 pounds of fat it "represents".

I took pictures of both me and the food.  I can't believe that I used to carry this much weight (not volume -- I got some lower bulk items as well as cans) around on my body. 

I really feel "rewarded" and plan to continue this exercise each 10 pounds until I reach my final goal.

What a wonderful way to celebrate. Congrats. It is a great accomplishment.

That's a great idea!!!

That's excellent! How inspiring! I can definitely see how that would be more rewarding =]

Brilliant idea of rewarding! Hope you reach your goal sooner!

What a superb idea! 

I just loved this idea so much, I want to bump this thread to the top so other (new) people can read it.

I've been doing exactly that for quite a while now. The difference in my grocery bill goes to the homeless shelter either in the form of food or money. This is like the weight box concept except that the money saved went to help people.

That is such an awesome idea! Thanks to jsmith for bumping it again.

My mom buys a 10 pound bag of flour every time she loses that much. I'm not sure what she plans to do with it.. hopefully not eat it.. but this is great because it's productive and helpful and generous. I will suggest it to her; I think she will love it too.

Good for you! I realize it's been a few months since you hit that mini goal. I hope you've hit more since then. :) Thanks again for the idea.

Thanks for the kind words.  I currently have 65 pounds of food sitting in my office waiting for a chance to get it to the food bank.  Halfway, woo-hoo!.

I still find it incredibly motivating, although it is getting a little crazy in terms of food quantity.  Since we are coming up on Thanksgiving, I may switch to buying a few turkeys and donating those to one of the Thanksgiving dinner events for my next mini-goal.  Or maybe Christmas, I am not sure I will be there by Thanksgiving.

This is a phenomenal idea! I have been trying to come up with a reward that I would really want to work toward (aside from my fitness, of course!) and this seems just perfect. Thank you!

This is the most awesome idea.  Bless you.

God bless you! What a wonderful idea AND congratulations on your weight loss. I am just getting started and have only lost 5 pounds but when I unpacked a 5 pound bag of flour from the car the other evening, I was thankful for even the 5 pound loss. I have at least 60 more to go. <sigh>

Have a great day and thanks for the wonderful idea of passing on in food what you lost in pounds.

hugs....charlotte

What an awesome idea!  I'm definitely going to donate a pound of food for every pound I lose.  If all of us at cc did so, that would be like millions of pounds of food! 

Also, I've found that trying to be a better person helps me lose weight, anyway.  It's nice to get the diet off your mind for a while and think of someone else!  Plus, when I feel good, which serving others does, it's easier to think positively about myself and keep living better and healthier.

What a nice way to make yourself feel good for your acocmplishment!  Helping others also raises your own self-esteem and will make you want to continue your journey...congrats on your awesome weight loss--very inspirational idea--good luck -- and what a nice selection of healthy foods--I see so many food donations filled with junk food and high caloric foods---those in need should be able to eat healthy foods as well!

i just want to hug you!  what a wonderful person you are, and what a fantastic idea!  you deserve every ounce of success that you achieve. i wish you the best of luck in reaching your goals!!  :)

What a great and self-less idea.  It says a lot for you that this type of activity was so rewarding.  I applaud you.

loved this. having a good amount of healthy food is great 'cause with me I run out of them and then eat whatever's around in the house (junk food)

mayb u wanna add some green and fresh veggies and fruit though

Great idea!

And what a kind act you got to do.

Congratulations!

Have a wonderfully lite day!!!  Thank you for thinking of those much less fortunate!

Wow, your idea blows me away!  So simple and it speaks such volumes.

With the typical holiday food drives starting up next month in my workplace, I'm going to definitely start doing this as well.  I'm going to see how much I lose by the deadline to donate and go shopping at the end.

Thank you, thank you for this excellent idea.