This is a good topic for me to consider. For so long I haven't taken my goals seriously, and rewards have always been something I talked about, but never came near to earning... since I never take my goals seriously. So, I guess in a way, my rewards aren't motivational ones. I always thought being slim and feeling my body move freely and more limberly, was the greatest reward. Funny how we get use to things, and take things for granted. So, I suppose that's the idea of refreshing the reward bank.
I want to lose 40 more pounds... last year I went on a diet to lose 50, and I lost 25, gained 15 back, and am hovering for about 6 months at 10 pounds lost. Okay, so, my next big goal is (see below) my 'birthday goal', and I have about 8 to go. I'm not sure if I"m going to have enough time now, as I posted that goal a month ago at least, when I had plenty of time. I also think it's dangerous for me to put dates on goals, especially important dates. But anyway, when I reach 145, I am going buy myself a pair of Black Gramicci pants, because that was all I wore before I got too fat for the size I wore (mediums). They are a symbolic purchase.
Just for fun, let me forecast the whole way. 140 to wear my "new" cycling jerseys! I use to love to 'collect' them, but that was when I was cycling fit and slender, and have a trunk ful that I can't wear. Just being slim enough to wear the ones I bought and wore only a couple of times before I grew out of them, will be the most wonderful reward. Yeah, to wear as I go down, my smaller jerseys. Niiiice. Then, to go out and actually ride on the country roads and be noticed by all the zillions of cyclists in this valley (very popular cycling area).
At 135, boy, that will be the weight I was when I hiked Mt Whitney on a week long trek. I had gained 15 pounds from my leanest weight back then, and I remember complaining the whole time, vainly, about how heavy I was...boy was I a b*tch! What I would'nt do now to weigh that ! Okay, so, the symbolic thing there is all about Backpacking. I've been nearly threadbare for a couple of years, wearing fat elastic jeans on my trips because I didn't fit into my nice gear. On that Whitney trip I recall ripping a hole in my favorite pants, probably because they were getting too tight already (I bought them 15 pounds lighter). So, to go to REI or NORTHFACE or ROYAL ROBBINS and find a nice pair of those nice lightweight packer pants. That will be my reward for 135.
at 130, I'll be hovering close to my goal weight. In fact, I told myself before I will bargain at that weight. I notice there's a lot of real sensible weight goals on this forum. I'm only 5'2", so it's not unrealistic for me to want a lean goal weight of 125... but, we'll see how I feel at 130. Before my January birthday, I have to renew my drivers' licence, and well, my DH mentioned to me I might want to change the weight on the description. He's right, I'm nowhere near 120. Dilemma for sure. I decided I'll change it to 130 or 135, because I probably look within 15 pounds of that, even though I'm 163 right now. I dunno, reaching the weight on my drivers' licence is a ridiculous goal, but a big one. A real vanity issue, I feel embarrassed to admit it's all a fool's game. But, I'd like my driver's licence weight to signify my bargain goal weight, so that if I do dip below it, I can be less, which is a fun perk. Like I said, very vain, and very silly.
My Ultimate goal of 125 ? I still need to dream about that, but at this point, it would feel like I was hovering instead of trudging, my feet wouldn't hurt, I wouldn't get so sore from doing a new activity... gosh, life would just be so physically comfortable! The best part is that I'd be able to fly over the hills on my bicycles (road and mtn), and that would be like regaining my youthful self (ageless youthful self) all over again. I long for that. That is the ultimate of ultimate goals, to ride these mtns on which I now live.
I love to shop at thrift stores, so I guess I would try on a bunch of my favorite style (moss green corduroys ) pants and find a nice pair at that weight and see what size I actually am. I'm guessing a realistic size will be 8 this time around (tight size 6, but I don't want tight anymore, ever again!) In my humility of gaining weight and modesty of middle age, I have learned to love, love, love the comfort of elastic waist bands, and so I promise myself, even at my leanest weight, I will never go back to wearing constricting clothing again, that elastic (and drawstring, like Gramicci) is my signature look now. But, occasionally I'll want to tuck a shirt in, so fitted skirts and pants will be nice to have for the occasions.
Well, I've written a novel, but it was good to think about it all.