Hi friends!

I realized recently that one of the hardest things for me to overcome by getting into the swing of this (or any previous) diet has been giving up the thought that food is a reward. I'd get a raise, celebrate a promotion, see my weight decrease on the scale - and celebrate by eating something terrible for me, but delicious

Since I started this - hopefully last everdiet, I've tried to brainstorm some good ways that I can reward myself for reaching weight-loss goals, having career successes, and any other little thing I might need to pat myself on the back for.

One thing I've found that really motivates me is a nice, relaxing bath. In particular, I spend (admittedly) top dollar for bath bombs from Lush cosmetics. They're lovely, but they're certainly not cheap, so I try to save them for when I really need them. Now, on a day when I have a great weigh-in, after dinner I take a long, relaxing soak in the tub with my bath bomb and treat myself to some well-deserved TLC.

This got me thinking - what other ways can we treat ourselves besides reaching for a big bowl of ketosis-ruining ice cream? I'd love to hear what your ideas are!

I have to admit that I spend a lot of time (and money!) at Sephora. I 'm a skin care junkie. I also found a cool place online that sells Korean skin care products that are super cute and different from the usual (at least for me), including some fun masks, so I've been "treating" myself to some of those!

I find I need the simple day-to-day "treats". Today I got myself an Americano from Starbucks and I like to go out for a steak dinner w/ veggies with my husband once in a while. I know this might seem like food rewards but I think you can still have these little treats as long as they are healthy. It feels pretty good to make it out of Starbucks with a black coffee and no pastries! Gotta flex that will power muscle and replace the unhealthy habits with healthier ones.

For me, food / booze was a comfort from stress, as opposed to using it for *most* celebratory occasions

but now my 'treat' is...

CLOTHES!

I've never (in my adult life) been a size where I wanted to shop - but as I'm dropping sizes I have treated myself at each size down with a couple really cute, in-style things.

Since I am still losing / morphing, functional pieces are coming from the Thrift Store, but, for example, I bought 2 super cute baby doll shirts (M!) from Target...a dress - and the interview skirt/suit from Black & White ($$$ - don't think I've ever spent so much for an outfit!)

That's a great point, @hysteria - even finding clothes in your closet that haven't fit well for quite some time feels like a serious indulgence sometimes

Whenever I felt a treat was in order I would head to my nearest specialty florist, and get one outstanding flower to put in a vase at my desk/table. They last for at least a few days and cost no more than a meal, even a fast food meal. Good stuff like protea or a very long stemmed perfect rose or an orchid if warranted. Flowers for this kind of occasion reminds me of Europe, where people buy flowers from the market just because.
Liana

I like this idea Liana

My *big* treat though, when I get to goal, is to finally get the tattoo I've been sketching out for 10 years. Think that is long enough to do something so permanent

Great idea! I usually get a pedicure, but I'm going to try the flowers for a change! Thanks!

When I reached 10 lb loss, I bought myslf a pretty bracelet. Felt great all day, and every time I looked at it it reminded me how good it felt to have reached 10 lb. So I decided I'd treat myself every 5lb. Usually just small things, but it set these little mini-goals in my head. I got a pretty pair of sandals, a new blue scarf, went out for a nice roast beef dinner, treated myself to a bouquet of flowers, went for a facial...next goal is 40lb - hope to reach that before we leave on vacation next week, so I'm sure Ill find some nice treat while we're away.

For my GOAL weight, definitely a shopping trip.
(i've been thrifting for clothes along the way, actually found some really cute outfits ) but when I reach goal, I'm going to fly down to visit my sister (who loves to shop) and we are going to find me a wardrobe! I've been tossing all my change into a jar each day, building up a nice little stash ( keep in mind, here in Canada we have loonies and toonies - for all you Americans, those are $1 and $2 coins, so loose change adds up fast )