I think I celebrated all along the way. I didn't wait until I was X pounds. The decision to care about yourself and act accordingly is reason enough to celebrate!
I had some intermediate goals along the way, and got myself little rewards along the way like exercise equipment, new clothes, a DVD or book.
I didn't have a final long term goal--in my history of dieting I have found that to be an unhelpful concept. My weight settled into what my new lifestyle supported, so I had no big deal celebration. I recognize the anniversary of start of my journey every year.
Having said that, when I got to a comfortable weight, I did some major stuff, running a marathon, having children, rethinking my career path. Not sure any of that counts as a reward, but I feel enriched by doing them.
I didn't really celebrate getting to my goal weight--it was really sort of anticlimatic. My original goal was much higher, then I dropped it by ten pounds, then dropped it another ten pounds, then realized I couldn't get down to that goal, so raised it back up by five pounds, which was about where I was at the time. So getting to goal didn't feel like an achievement, since I didn't actually get to my goal but instead I changed my goal.
I do however, give myself a reward for every year that I stick with my exercise and diet program. It's not about losing weight or getting to a goal; it's about staying on plan. So long as I stay on plan (well, mostly on plan, I'm not saying there aren't ever any off days), then I get a yearly reward, whether I'm at my goal weight or not. Since the rewards are only once a year, they tend to be big rewards. Not so much rewards as excuses to buy things that I've wanted for a long time.
Year 1 was an iPod shuffle (and working out has been so much easier since then). Year 2 was a leather jacket. Year 3 was a Miata convertible. (Three years was a big milestone for me because it was the end of my three-year gym membership commitment. Plus, I really hated my prior car and this was a good excuse to get a new one. I my Miata.) I think year 4 is going to be a bicycle, but I won't hit that anniversary to August, so I haven't completely made up my mind yet.
Last edited by BlueToBlue; 04-12-2009 at 05:19 AM.
As I was losing the weight, the rewards were already showing themselves to me. Just "being" a lighter, healthier, more active, more productive and "normal" person was incredibly joyful to me. Every day I woke up slimmer and slimmer and in my new and improving body was a great day for me. I was reaping the benefits long before goal, enjoying the whole process. I was getting a huge kick out of the whole thing.
In the beginning I gave myself rewards for every 10lbs lost. I couldn't really keep up with that after a while. I did keep on buying myself new clothing, but that was a MUST as I had not one thing that still fit me properly (except for some socks, but I bought new ones anyway). I even needed new shoes.
I did think the day that I "hit goal" something HUGE would happen - but it didn't. I knew it was coming and I knew though I "hit goal" that my work was just beginning. Ya know - maintenance to deal with.
I do think maintaining anniversaries are pretty big. For my first year I requested and received an application to the NWCR. Although I admit, it's still sitting here unfilled out. Maybe for me upcoming 2 year anniversary I'll actually fill it out and send it in.
I do hold another anniversary date very dear to me, and that's the day I started on my journey.
I do think Meg said it best. Each and every day is a celebration for me now that I am a trim and healthy person.
I didn't do anything, really.... I never specifically hit "goal" because at some point I decided not to have a goal and just try to be healthy.
This is what's happening to me. I haven't completely let go of my goal of 130, and I know from past experience that it's plenty realistic. It's just that I'm not willing to do anything different, just to get there, than I'm willing to do as a lifetime plan. So the chips are falling where they may I'm still losing but slowly. So when I do stop losing, I think it will take at least a couple months or even more just to be able to tell when I've stopped losing
It was anti-climactic for me too. I got on the scale and was like, oh, wow, it says 130. But there were no fireworks going off, and I wasn't even that excited -- I felt just like I had the day before!
The next weekend I did go shopping and buy myself a nice dress though.
This was a really good question! I'm not at goal by any means but it's actually comforting to know that "reaching goal" doesn't appear to be that big of a deal. Not having the fireworks and band playing when you see the magic numbers means you've already reached your happiness!
To be so content with yourself that the scale is kind of like an unnecessary confirmation... that's lovely.
I look forward to the anti-climatic day that I reach my goal.
It was mildly anti-climactic for me, too. Now, six months of maintaining it was pretty darn exciting!
I had to buy new clothes, need to buy more actually. And, I bought myself breast implants, but I don't see them so much as a weight lose reward, more of a weight loss by product, since losing the weight made the ones I had go away.
Celebrate?
my Miata.) I think year 4 is going to be a bicycle, but I won't hit that anniversary to August, so I haven't completely made up my mind yet.
