Rewarding yourself

I find it really motivating to plan little rewards for losing certain amounts of weight, reaching certain fitness goals, etc, and I know a lot of other people do as well.

I was wondering what your standards are for counting something as reaching a certain weight...One of my rewards was going to be for reaching 169 lbs (breaking into the 160s!). I weighed in at that weight today. Would it make sense to buy the reward today (new slippers, yay) or should I wait and see if I can make the same weigh-in two days in a row or something?

Well if it'd make you feel better you could wait a few days to be sure but you did make your goal. Congrats! Myself, I'd prolly do it the day of...but I'm not good at waiting for rewards.

Either way - personally, once I see that number, I consider that goal reached. Yeah, tomorrow it might go back up, but sometimes a little celebration is what you need!

I also consider that once I see the number on the scale, I reached that goal.  A little hypocritical, since I really go by the trendline (which is by definition higher than the scale) for my overall sense of how I am doing, and always ignore slight gains as "water" weight, but I always love seeing the next "decade" on the scale.  I celebrate, then start focusing on the next goal.

Oh go on - celebrate!  WELL DONE!  I hope you enjoy those slippers!

Hmm good idea using non food stuff as a reward!

I KNOW it is the trend line that really counts... but when I lose a pound I celebrate! Then of course I hover around the weight for what seems like months before I finally let go of another pound.... Go for it! buy the slippers, the purse, the new car!

Every step in the right direction is a victory!  But I do understand your worries about celebrating too soon and then being sad when the scale slips upwards again.....but I would say rejoice and reward yourself.  I have a hard time celebrating my own successes at all, for some reason.  And then when I do celebrate, I always do so with food, so good work finding a non-caloric alternative! I recently dropped into a new "decade" myself and it never crossed my mind to do anything to reward myself.  So thanks for the good example! I'll have to try and think of something nice to do for myself that does not involve hot fudge.

Stick with the deal that you made with yourself - you made it, and I have NO DOUBT that you will continue with your success.

My question is, what other things are people using for steps-along-the-way non-food rewards?

Original Post by serenelife:
My question is, what other things are people using for steps-along-the-way non-food rewards?

I have posted about this elsewhere, but I have been buying the pounds I have lost to date as food at Costco, taking a picture of it and me, and donating it to a local food bank.  I did it at 40 and 50 pounds lost, and am planning it again at 65 (my halfway point!).  I find it incredibly satisfying to "give" that weight in something useful to people in need.  It also brings home how much excess baggage I am leaving beside the road on this journey (in a way that simply having looser clothes doesn't make real to me).

Dkenworthy, That's a marvelous idea. Reinforces the idea that you didn't really need that food (calories) and someone else needs it desperately.

I also have trouble finding a non-food way of rewarding myself. Clothes don't work because I find shopping for them now very depressing. It will take at least 15 more pounds before I'll look good enough and not shapeless. I used to like shoes but with this weight my feet hurt so they're out too. But giving.....I'll have to see if I can find something appropriate that will motivate me as well.

Original Post by dkenworthy:

I have been buying the pounds I have lost to date as food at Costco, taking a picture of it and me, and donating it to a local food bank.  I did it at 40 and 50 pounds lost, and am planning it again at 65 (my halfway point!).  I find it incredibly satisfying to "give" that weight in something useful to people in need.  It also brings home how much excess baggage I am leaving beside the road on this journey (in a way that simply having looser clothes doesn't make real to me).

That is such a wonderful idea! Another thing along the same lines could be the scheme by the charity Oxfam, whereby you pay a small sum for goats or chickens to be sent to a family in Africa, for them to breed, sell and eat. My family does this for each other .every Christmas

Original Post by serenelife:

Stick with the deal that you made with yourself - you made it, and I have NO DOUBT that you will continue with your success.

My question is, what other things are people using for steps-along-the-way non-food rewards?

I rewarded myself 3 pounds away from my final mini-goal with a brand new laptop.

I hated that I bought it earlier than I was supposed to so I sold it. Now I'm .8 pounds away from my my goal and I want it back.

i asked this question of my fiance and he said that i should get my reward when i reach the goal, regardless of whether or not i go above that goal the next day. his reasoning is that because i reached the goal i will KNOW that i can get back to it even if my weight is higher later on.

My lovely boyfriend told me that he would buy me a different nail polish colour for every week that I continued! I dont think he knew what he was getting himself into! I've been sticking with this for 9 weeks now

Original Post by thedippymonster:

My lovely boyfriend told me that he would buy me a different nail polish colour for every week that I continued! I dont think he knew what he was getting himself into! I've been sticking with this for 9 weeks now

OMG that is soooo cute! I am so happy for you that you have such a sweet boyfriend and wow... quite a collection of nail polish eh?! Next thing will be a new bathroom cupboard... 

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I decided to treat myself to a new pearl/charm for my Pandora bracelet every time I lose 10 lb. First thing of course is the bracelet and I'll get to shop that within the next week! :o) By the end of 90 lb there should be quite some pearls on it...