What do you reward yourself with now?

Just started this journey on weight loss again two weeks ago.  I've been taking a lot away from all of you... especially setting mini goals as my target weight is only like 2 years away if I stay on track. 

So in approaching the mini goals, like 10% body weight loss, the first 10 lbs.... I find that in looking at my relationship with food that I often use it as motivation.  Like- I can have a sweet if I do my exercise....get a good review at work... etc.

I think this has to change to move forward in my weight loss journey- so I'm looking for some suggestions.  What do you use as your rewards? 

Peaceapple,

I haven't thought that far ahead.  I'll probably throw a party.  Maybe a Kiss My Ass Goodbye party (like it's so much smaller now type thing).

I am just dealing with my ten pounds goals now.  That takes about a month.  I'm getting really near my 50 pound mark.

Kiss My Ass Goodbye party...love it!

Ok WHEN I reach 100, I am going to do something. Not sure what. If I do the tatoo it will be tiny

Fllirtin- I like both your ideas!

I have a skeleton tattoo of my dead iguana on my leg and I keep saying I will get it outlined in green when....   Maybe my new goal can be when I lose my first 100.

I know, when I reach my goal weight, I will do a tattoo.  Not sure of what yet or where, but I will.

I have 5 now, and each one is very special to me (as they should be) so I think that will be what I do.

In the mean time, I have mini 20lbs goals...8 in total so I met the 1st one today and honestly, I have no idea what to reward myself with.  I had not thought that far ahead.  Although I will admit, getting into a pair of jeans I have not worn in a year was a great reward (and no lycra in these jeans baby...LOL)

When I hit my first 20lbs...a couple outfits.

I can't wait!

When I see 199 on the scale (67 pounds lost in total) I'm going to buy a new dress!

Sammarieob,

How about a nice new pair of shoes to go with those jeans?  Or new belt/purse combo?  Or sweater?

Burgundyx47,

     I read Judith Beck's book, "The Complete Beck Diet for Life".  I have put into use her suggestions for rewarding yourself.  She says that rewarding yourself for each five pounds lost, is good, because it will provide alot of reinforcement along the way.  No food rewards, just little things that are just for you.  Price range would reflect your own personal finances.  I took some time at the beginning of my diet to make a list of a bunch of stuff that put a smile on my face , and the costs were all varied.  I didn't rank them in order, I just brainstormed a big list.  And I don't pick my reward until the day I hit my next 5 lb. loss. 

 In the beginning, I have found myself rewarding myself with things that have made following my food plan easier.  My first reward was a trip to a local Crate and Barrel, where I bought some little glass storage containers to hold small amounts of food.  I love them.  I like stuff for the kitchen alot. 

 On one of my walks with my husband, I spotted a pair of mittens that I adore in a store window and I added them to my list.  I have some "milestone" weights that I think I might reward myself with a larger reward cost-wise, but for the most part I have kept my rewards pretty reasonable.

  And the thing about the reward has not been the thing I get, so much, as the whole experience of it.  It is just my husband and myself now at home, so when I have lost that next 5 lbs, he and I go together and shop for my item, then we maybe go out for a small lunch or coffee, and generally have a good time celebrating.  He seems to get as excited for me as I am.  I really look forward to it. 

 If you don't have a significant other who shares your enthusiasm, take a diet buddy, a good friend, or someone who truly is happy for you.  Or if having time to yourself is a premium then go alone, put your favorite music on the radio and just have fun with the experience of being good to yourself. Make it a fun time, maybe stop for a nice cup of tea or coffee. But make sure you have fun with it.

  Face it, we earned it. It has to be of that mindset, not guilt about the pennies spent, or arguing with yourself whether you are worth it or not because YOU ARE WORTH IT. In fact you are way worth more than any little reward you give yourself.  We are worth saving and we deserve to be happy .

  And for me the 5 lb thing really works because, if I am being true to my eating plan , that reward rolls around before you know it,  and that is really motivating.  That is the reason for the rewards, to motivate and to celebrate....and to do it without using the food. 

 And if you are looking for a "food reward"  to eat, Ms Beck also tells you to plan a treat for yourself each day of something that is your favorite thing to eat, just portion it so the calorie content is 150 calories or less. Eat it as your snack, eat it slowly and enjoy every guilt-free bite. You planned for it and it is perfectly ok to eat it.  That way you never have to say to yourself,  "I can never have that food again".

  It is all about not feeling that you are being deprived in your new lifestyle.  Many times I crave those "special" foods and I plan for them, but sometimes I choose to eat something healthier.  It's my choice.  But I like knowing that if I want a snicker bar, I can PLAN to have it, but measured in that 150 calorie portion....and I can plan to maybe eat the rest of it the next day, or toss it in the trash if I so choose. 

 Her thing is that you only eat PLANNED FOOD, you don't eat impulsively.  She has alot of good tips in her book that have helped me so much.  She is a cognitive therapist and her book is based on changing the way we think about food.   This really helps me, because for me,  it's not so much the food, but the feelings and thoughts I am having before I eat the food.

Best of Luck, hope you get lots of terrific rewards!!

Thought I would link this... every 25lbs this is my new reward:

http://caloriecount.about.com/new-idea-mini-g oal-rewards-ft143132

I think it is a wonderful idea to give to the food bank.  I think we should all be doing this regardless of our weight loss, the need is so great.  I think setting a large goal to give a "car full" of groceries is a great idea. 

 But I also think that alot of us feel undeserving and so guilty most of the time when we are good to ourselves,  that we need to know that it is not selfish to give a reward to ourselves.  But the idea of the reward is to motivate and to say to yourself, "job well done".  And if giving to others motivates you to keep to your food plan than it is a good thing for you to do.

  I just don't want us to think that self care and giving to self is a bad thing.  As moms,  I think we are hard wired to always give to our families and others first, which is not bad....unless we always forget  about caring for ourselves as well. 

 I mentioned in my post that it wasn't the reward that I looked forward to so much as the whole experience and time alone with my husband.  It is amazing how little we really talk about the "diet thing".  Instead we seem to dream a little and it has been a happy, positive  time together.