Weight Loss Rewards?
 

Hopefully this is the right place for this question. I was wondering, what rewards have you given yourself, or plan to give yourself, for reaching certain weight or health goals? I have a long-term reward of a new wardrobe and was just wondering if others have intermediate rewards.

Mostly the weight loss is a reward in itself. But I also get a lot of pleasure out of wearing clothes I haven't worn in a while, or realizing old ones no longer fit me. I also have a 35 dollar gift certificate to Urban Outfitters which I will use once I reach my goal weight. :) On a smaller scale, though I don't have a "cheat day", I do allow myself two pieces of pizza and a glass of milk Friday nights as a reward for a week well done. If I behave well the rest of the week, I find it actually has little to no impact on my weight loss, and whenever I feel like binging, I can tell myself to wait until Friday, instead of telling myself no forever.

Good luck!

I like the fact that the weight loss is a reward in itself. And the way the clothes fit is a big plus, too. But to be honest, I'm ambivalent about the rewards. On one hand, it's cool to reward myself with some nice things, but the fact is, I can buy these things at any time... I don't need a reason to go out and buy an outfit or a bicycle.

Also, I like the idea of allowing certain foods at certain times. Where I have gotten into trouble in the past is with always rewarding myself, saying "Oh, I was good today, I'll just have one..." (famous last words, right??)

I reward myself with a new book or CD for each mini-goal. But once I reach my ultimate goal I have a charm picked out for my bracelet that says One Day at a Time...that's how I take things. Of course I new wardrobe will be in order too! :D

I've used rewards more for when I'm really struggling with motivation or a plateau to keep myself motivated. I just choose something I really want at that point in time & do not allow myself to have it until I reach whatever number or until I achieve a certain number of workouts.

For the most part recently I have found just losing the weight & being able to "shop" in my own closet is the best reward - but that is only just true for me recently. Before that I couldn't see the weightloss & was just frustrated & found I needed more outside rewards.

My big goal though is a tattoo. When I reach 190lbs I will get the tattoo I have long waited for. This is not my end weight but it is the weight I wish to get to & never go above again. I will figure out at that point how much more I would like to lose.

I don't really have a rewards system. All I do is put 1 euro in a box after each day when I am "on plan", and then when I want something I know where the money is. Although I currently have my eye on a kotatsu (complete with futon and carpet -- and the tangerines! Let's not forget the tangerines!) for next winter, so it's quite the incentive. So yeah, I'm a material girl, but if this is what it takes... :D

It's been said already, but the weight loss itself is my biggest reward. However, I did buy myself two new pairs of jeans when I lost 20 pounds. I've promised myself a tattoo I've always wanted once I hit 160.

I definately use the reward system. It helps keep me motivated. I started out with smaller (cheaper items) because it is always easier in the beginning and saved bigger items for mile markers. i wrote it all down and posted it on the fridge as a constaint reminder.

5 pounds: 5 new songs for my Ipod
10 pounds: blanket for couch
15 pounds: new purse
20 pounds: new workout shoes
.
.
50 poundes: white gold necklace

I pick items that i will see over and over again. Example when i am sitting on the couch and thinking about cheating i see the blanket I "earned" and realize cheating is not worth it.

it really depends on the person. Some people need the rewards for wt loss...others dont. But when you frist start off...rewards really do help. Ultimately when i reach my goal..i'm going on a BIGGGG shopping spree... i also have a massage planned when i meet the halfway goal. Also you will need to sent a goal that is in your monetary budget. Don't go so crazy you go broke...but definately do something nice..weather its a manicure or something small. Good luck!

I LOVE the idea of putting a dollar in a jar or something for each day on plan. I can't justify buying an ipod for myself right now -- but I could if the 179.00 equaled 179 days on plan!

I had never tried giving myself rewards for losing,but I'm considering it now.I'm thinking for every 10 lbs. lost,a small item like say: Bath and Body splash,a book,or some expensive(meaning slightly more then I'd normally spend)makeup. This way I have something a little special to look forward to.

I use rewards related to fitness, usually, and I tie them more to staying on plan and exercising, rather than to weight loss. Mostly that's because I don't control the scale, ultimately. I can control whether I am on plan, but the scale doesn't always cooperate with me.

My favorite rewards are things like a magazine subscription (to read on the elliptical), songs from iTunes (for my mp3 player while I work out), or new gym clothes. If I need an extra push to go to the gym, I make myself a deal - a new iTunes song for every day I go to the gym, a magazine at the grocery store at the end of the week if I went a certain number of times, and maybe a new workout outfit if I go 25/30 days in the month.

I think rewards work well. And it doesn't have to be something big, just something you want. I am almost at goal, but my rewards have been a pedicure, magazines. Now I am going to do new rewards. When I reach goal i am going to buy myself a charm for every month i stay at goal. I have lost the weight before, only to regain it. i got a pandora charm bracelet for Christmas and I'm looking forward to putting some charms on it!

I promised my 12 year old daughter that once I lost the weight we'd go bathing suit shopping. So now I have the food police at my house, following me around with her little notebook, making sure I don't cheat. ;)