Hi, all. I sort of had an epiphany the other day. I realized that one of the key reasons that I eat what and when I shouldn't is that I want to treat myself to something nice and food is the easiest way to do that. I know that seems like something you've heard a million times before (or experienced yourself). The reason this was unique to me, though, is that in the past, I've tried all the usual suggestions for pampering w/ something other than food: give yourself a manicure, take a bubble bath, etc. However, I recently realized that the reason I was never consistent with these things and always went back to food is that those other things take time and effort. For example, to give myself a manicure, I need to take out all the materials, get a bowl to soak my hands in, fill it with warm water, and then do the manicure itself. The results are good, but all that seems more like work to me than pampering. It's much easier and much less effort to stop by Starbucks on my way to the grocery store and pick up a latte and a piece of cake.
So all this leads me to my question: Can you guys suggest pampering ideas that 1) don't take a lot of time and effort and 2) don't cost a lot (I'd love to shop rather than eat, but I'd go broke if this became a habit)?
Any kind of hot oil treatment for your hair, one of those facial cleansers you need to leave on a few minutes, some anti-aging cream for under eyes/face/hands, how about a massage from a significant other???
I got some hand lotion from Avon that I really like the smell of. I use it when I need a lift.
I also got something called Soft Shimmer skin radiance moisturizer from Jergens. It has something in it that makes your skin sort of sparkle. I like to use it after my shower at night. Then when I read in bed, the light shines on my sparkly skin and it looks cool.
I like to get decorating, travel, and memoir type things out of the library. You can pick up a book like that and read it for just a few minutes at a time, if that's all you have. I especially like books with nice pictures for pampering or relaxing. I love to read and read a lot, but not all reading qualifies as pampering to me (very subjective, I know), so you have to find what works for you. I had Kitty Bartholomew's decorating book. It happens that she likes the same colors I do and the book has lots of pics of her own house that appeal to me. I really can't say why looking at that particular book felt like pampering to me.
I agree with you that we need to lean to reward ourselves with something other than food. I also appreciate your "epiphany". I hadn't thought before about the concept that we need instant gratification. It is pretty hard to think of things that are instant, and free and do the trick! Of course food isn't free, in more ways than one, but we never think of that.
I will be really interested to hear what others come up with.
Someone gave me some Jasmine Tea. I think it was really good stuff, but oh was it wonderful. Tasted good and smelled heavenly. I think things that smell good appeal to me. Perfume, lotion, bath gel, but like you say, that runs into money. Espeically if you get a few that you end up not liking.
if you check a couple places, paying for a manicure really isn't that much, certainly comparable to the price of starbucks treats... and then it feels alot more like pampering than doing it yourself. i tend to treat myself to reading material when i need a pick-me-up, or even a new girly-product of some sort, like a lipgloss... and, i have a pretty silly suggestion too - tho it's not really pampering, it's more along the lines of keeping busy and avoiding snacking... i worked in an office type setting for awhile, and a few doors down was a hamburger place that had a kids toy vending machine. to give me something to fiddle with while i worked i would go and get a toy from time to time. it worked a lot better than munching all day long and was pretty dang entertaining (i promise i was a great employee, we just always had free time due to the type of job it was)... we had rubberband guns, bouncy balls, tops, tomatoes that splatted on the wall... it was great!
When I reward myself I buy myself a new workout top!
This works for me best because:
I LOVE shopping!
I go to this brand name discount store and a new tank top is only $7ish!
I immediatly want to wear it so I'm motivated to go to the gym!
a manicue or pedicure is very affordable at a beauty school, and they usually give a first class treatment because they are learning. one of my favorites is going to the beauty school for a shampoo. tell them you need some extra pampering and you can get a 15 or 20 minute shampoo. the cost for this (here, anyway) is $1.25 for the shampoo, then i usually tip $2 or $3. still less than that a mocha frappucino.
the big thing for me on pampering is it needs to be done for me. giving myself a pedicure won't work.....i supply the labor. but relaxing and letting somebody else paint my toenails is a definite reward.
hope this helps.
I bought a shower chair, when my fibro was really bad because I was afraid of falling in the shower. Now, I don't use it except for "steam baths." We have a shower head, with a mister head, so the spray comes out in a very fine mist which is lovely. Very decadent. I don't like the idea of wasting too much water, so I plug the tub so I don't use more water than a tub bath would use. Besides, that is sort of a reminder for me not to stay in too long.
I have always loved having a good full-body massage by a professional massage therapist. It costs, but as a reward for a job well done, it's great!
I've had massages heavy and thinner, and they are good no matter what. (Of course, they vary with the therapist--see if you can get a recommendation. A massage therapist should never cause you bad pain, for instance.)
Some therapists even have a special chair for seated massage, and you don't need to disrobe.
Heavy women sometimes hate the idea of massage because of their size, but experienced, licensed massage therapists have done it all. And some even have weight issues themselves.
Of course, this takes some pre-planning in that appointments are usually needed.
I don't give myself a lot of pampering-type things, so that's about it for my ideas.
Wow, to me, a massage like the ultimate treat next to a vacation.
Oh it is. My old massage therapist worked out of her home and was my neighbor. I would take her last appointment of the day and then stumble home, fall into bed, and be so relaxed and pain free, that I would get an amazing night of sleep. There is nothing, nothing like a full body massage.
Quick Pampering Ideas Needed
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