Una ragazza magra

Goals and Rewards

Normally, the whole reward yourself for losing weight is a bit lost on me.  After all, weight loss is its own reward, right?  Well, this time it’s actually giving me some extra motivation to really be good and push through to the next ten pounds, and I’m sticking with it, so here’s what I’m doing:

20 lb loss (207):  duvet set from Target

30 lb loss (197):  Tiffany keychain (I got this idea from the 10% keychains they give out at WW)

40 lb loss (187):  Facial at a local day spa (didn’t think anyone would want to see a picture of my shiny red face afterward!)

50 lb loss (177):  Coach purse– I’m not sure I’ll actually find one I want, but I’m giving myself permission to buy it, so we’ll see how that turns out.  If I don’t find one I like (and like well enough to drop the big bucks on), then I’ll go to the next reward and come up with something else for later. 

So, I found one I liked!  The cool thing about this one is that the strap is doubled, so it can also be lengthened to use as a longer hip-length purse.  I bought it the day after Thanksgiving at the Coach Outlet in my hometown.  The day after Thankgiving they have a huge sale, so I got it for 50% off.  I wasn’t to my 50 lb. goal yet (I bought it a week early), but I wanted to get the good price, so I just stashed it in the back of my closet until I hit goal.  Now I get to load it up and start carrying it!!

60 lb loss (167):  jewelry– from wherever I want.  I’ll shop around at jewelry stores, TJ Maxx, and websites like QVC or HSN.

I ended up getting a couple of things this time.  First, I did order some jewelry from HSN.com.  It’s a necklace and not something I would normally buy, but it’s unique, and I really liked it.  Here it is:

Second, I’m starting to run again, and I had bought the new Nike+ chip that works with the ipod to use on my runs.  I had a gift card and coupon, so I ended up paying about $3 for it (that’s why I didn’t count it as a reward).  However, I neglected to notice that it only works with the ipod nano, not the classic, which is what I have.  So, at that point, it was either take it back or buy a nano.  I really wanted it, so I went on ebay and got a nano for $100– could have been worse, plus, it really is better that I don’t run with my classic, and since that was a Christmas present, I didn’t feel too awfully guilty for buying a second one.  I needed a gym bag pretty badly, too, so I also bought one of those.  I’ve been going to the gym for over two months now, so I figure the quitting early part is mostly behind me– that’s why I made do with my little canvas thing for such a long time.  I’m loving the new gym bag!  Here they are:

Oh, and I also got a massage, lol– it was on special at the beauty school for $20, and it was AWESOME.  I’m still going to keep it on for the 70 lb. reward, but I need to come up with something else small, too.  I’m still thinking about it…

70 lb loss (157):  massage at a local day spa– I saved this one until later because maybe if I’m skinnier, I won’t be so embarassed about someone seeing and touching my body.

82 lb loss–GOAL– (145):  A nice belt– I’m thinking Coach again, but something equally good would be fine.  Basically, I intend to wear this belt often, so, in theory, it would jar me back to action if I couldn’t wear it any longer because I’d spent so much money on it and wouldn’t want to outgrow it.

When I get to my goal, I plan on going on a big shopping spree as well.  I’m saving about $100-$200 a month for just this purpose.  I plan to make it a weekend extravaganza.  Here are some of the stores I plan to visit:

• H&M (one of my absolute favorite stores, but I haven’t been able to wear their stuff in a while)
• Forever 21 (I’m not going to dress like a grandma anymore)
• Department Stores
• Old Navy (old faithful– even when I was fat)
• Outlet Mall stores:  Gap, Banana Republic (hard to find stuff that fit before), Calvin Klein (I always felt totally out of place here before), Ann Taylor (as I’m getting older, her stuff looks cuter)
• Lerner NY
• Charlotte Russe (I love some of their stuff, but it’s seriously designed for twigs.  Even once I get to goal and am hopefully a size six, I will probably still have to wear size 13s or so in their store.  That’s okay, though– at least I can walk in for once (to look at shoes) and not think people are asking themselves why on earth I would go in their store when a skirt wouldn’t fit around one of my thighs)
• TJ Maxx– I should have more options in a smaller size.
• The Limited– they usually have nice stuff, and I haven’t been in there in literally YEARS due to the weight.  I am fitting back into some of my old Limited clothes now, but I’m not going to spend the money on them until I’m at goal.

 Looking at this list (I keep one by my bed) seriously helps me refocus every night.  It’s also fun to watch the numbers go down and get closer and closer to the next reward and then begin anticipating the one after that.  This time, it really is motivating me.

UPDATE:  I have now been shopping at Charlotte Russe and Forever 21 on a regular basis, and they’re stuff actually looks good!  I bought a size M sweater from F21, and I’m in a size large at CR (probably will still be a large even when I’m at goal).  To quote Old Navy, “Shopping is fun again!”

WORKOUT GOALS:

Run 3 miles or 5K:  When I hit this, I’ll buy myself a new pair of Nike + shoes that will hold my ipod chip.  I accomplished this goal on February 3, 2009, but I’m waiting to go home to the Nike outlet in a couple weeks to check there for shoes first.  I’ll post a picture when I get them!