Motivation for my next mini-goal
Motivate June 11th, 2010My next weight loss goal is 189.
It’s hard to write that number as a Goal because a few months ago I was safely below that and reaching for 183 (my wedding weight). But the truth is, I’ve been hanging out in the 190s for over 2 months and I can’t wish that fact away. I can only accept where I am and deal with it from here. So the next goal is 189, last Monday I weighed in at 193 so it’s probably a few weeks away.
I want to pass to 189 and never pass back over the 190 mark again.
Do you reward yourself for weight loss?
Years ago I gave myself a reward every single week that I stuck to my diet. Over the course of 18 months I think I didn’t reward myself 3 times. The rewards were based on the right behaviors, not on the scale. And even then, I was focused on “PROGRESS, not Perfection”. I sometimes also added bigger rewards for weight milestones. I bought my first iPod for that kind of reward, for example. The weekly process rewards were usually a CD, or something else that cost around $15. I figured I’d be willing to spend that much at Weight Watchers, so why not spend it directly on myself? That thinking worked for me for a good long time.
In the years since I’ve been living in France I’ve not been using weekly rewards. I’ve tried a few times but it hasn’t motivated me much. One thing I have done a few times is to link something I want to a bigger milestone reward. A few years ago I had a nifty spring Green purse that I bought myself as one of those rewards - and I felt guilty that Spring because I hit my target & then promptly regained 10 pounds. Still, I remembered that it helped me strive to get some pounds off.
Sometimes I need a nudge to focus on weight
I generally put my focus on living a life that I enjoy. I have a long-term goal to lose weight, but an even bigger goal to do it in a way that is Low Stress, and for me that means that I accept a slower rate of loss than some people (I also have a body that hates to give up weight, so part of that acceptance is just pragmatic). That does mean that I focus on the process - the good behaviors I want to reinforce, the less-good ones I want to change. But I don’t put dates to weight goals - I’ve learned that that is diametrically opposed to Low Stress Weight Loss for me.
Sometimes I just want to hit a number
But sometimes I just want to hit a number, and that’s where rewards can play a role for me.
Look at my (future) new purse
This will be mine at 189! It’s actually already in my house - my husband bought it for me (isn’t that nice) but I won’t let myself use it until I hit 189, because that is motivating me. I want the purse. I want some more weight gone. I put these together & focus.
Do you give yourself rewards? For the process or for the numbers or some mix of the two?
6 Responses to “Motivation for my next mini-goal”
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June 11th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
I have never done the reward thing. Just never occurred to me. Very often in my yo-yo years I was losing weight (again) for an upcoming trip or event. That could often, but not always, motivate me. I think your low stress approach is great.
June 11th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Love the purse! Rewards are good. They used to come in the form of food, which is just… anti what I’m trying to accomplish so that plan had to change. Recently I’ve been telling myself that every 15lbs I get to order a skirt from http://www.denimskirts.com/. I love love love jean skirts… and I order them a size small when I do order then so I have to continue to work to get into them after I get them. It’s kind of a mean “dangling carrot” trick to play on myself, but no one ever said I was nice to myself
June 11th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Back in the day when we had a bit of disposable income or at least credit cards, I got myself jewelry. I had to pawn my gold braceletes last year and that was extremely bittersweet. Although I probably didn’t disserve them anymore since it had been 5-10 years since I had seen that weight! Lol
I am going to pierce my belly button when I hit 169. I want a sparkly crystal or something equally girly. I had though about doing it at 175 but that is 4.5 pounds away and I am not ready plus I am broke. A certain teenage driver of mine ran his car into my garage and I need to buy a new door. Instead if crying, eating or swearing….i have walked 16 miles last couple days.
Biking starts today. Gonna switch it up. I should buy myself a new iTunes card for every 5 pounds. Always can use new music.
June 12th, 2010 at 4:07 am
Love the purse. I have a problem with delayed gratification, though. I almost always wear a new dress on the day I buy it. I’d have a hard time denying myself the purse. I do make a list of things I’ll reward myself with for accomplishing goals (exercise, weight loss, making the bed first thing every morning for a month).
You and I are so close and both striving for those elusive 180s. We can do this. And before July 4th. I don’t want you to have to wait for that purse for too long. I think my next reward is another pedicure.
June 12th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Cute purse! I try to reward myself for the behavior (staying within calorie range, exercising, etc.) rather than the result (number on the scale). Rewards I have given myself in the past: trips / vacations, spa days, mini-shopping “sprees”, and of course, expensive (and healthy!) dinners at fancy restaurants.
June 13th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
I also linked rewards w/behavior, not what the scale said and it was most successful. I got away from it, though, b/c for a while money was tight and I didn’t have time to reward myself w/bubble baths, etc. Now that there’s a bit more breathing room I’ll have to get back to it.
Thanks so much for the traveling tips. Cookies are a huge weakness for me and they are generally all over the place at these kind of things, so that tip will come in handy. I’m also going to focus on reaching 7+ servings of fruits/veggies. That way I’ll be monitoring what I can eat instead of what I can’t.