Rewards

[merithyn]

As I said in the Fitness 2009 thread, I'm now on Weight Watchers. I'm dropping the weight, which is great, but it's happening pretty slowly. I'd like to push myself a bit, and one of the suggestions at the meetings is to have a goal and a reward. Well, since double-chocolate brownies with chocolate almond ice cream will sort of undo the goal, I'm looking for other options for rewards.

What kinds of things can you  and would you reward yourself with that are relatively cheap (< $25) and are not food?

[Sophie Scholl]

Book, movie (dvd or in a theater), game, clothes, tickets to a cheap show/concert, save a few for a higher tag priced item.

[Habbaku]

A copy of Empires in America http://victorypointgames.com/details.php?prodId=104 .

[MadImmortalMan]

Sex. It even helps the goal. 

[merithyn]

Sex. It even helps the goal. 

It is occasionally part of the work out routine.

[Jos Theelen]

Food. Allow yourself one brownie when you dropped some pounds. That one brownie will not put everything back.

[merithyn]

The idea is to get out of the habit of using food as a reward. Besides, I have the occasional brownie already, and have even been known to have some ice cream with it. I'm not depriving my self of food, just adjusting the portions and frequency.

Here's what I think I'll do:

5% of starting body weight lost - Day trip out of town with Max (event I want to go to on October 17; can't unless I hit this mark)
10% - Mani/pedi (for Thanksgiving holidays; only if I hit the mark)
15% - New clothes (Can't buy any new clothes for myself until I hit this mark)
20% - Get contacts
25% - Haircut & Color (Professionally done)
Goal weight - Weekend trip to Memphis

[Ed Anger]

Goal weight - Weekend trip to Memphis

And once you eat the BBQ there, your goal weight goes out the window.

[PDH]

Instead of rewards...why not focus on habit changes that lead to long term lifestyle changes that help with weight loss?

[Scipio]

For my rewards, I usually get myself bicycle equipment upgrades (pedals, chains, tires, etc.).

[KRonn]

I don't know Meri, I figure the accomplishment is reward enough, such as losing the weight. But a reward can work too, to give you shorter term goals to reach for in steps to hit your over all goals, which I think is what you're looking to do. So give yourself something you enjoy. Maybe a dvd movie/music you've been wanting, as a goal to building a collection. Something like that to build on something for a hobby, the house or family.

Good for you for going on a plan for weight control, and more so for changing eating habits which I feel is the way to have more long term weight control than feeling like you have to be on a diet at times to control weight.  And Weight Watchers seems a great way to make that all happen. Good luck with it!

[Brazen]

Exercise gear, starting with a new pair of socks and working up to a GPS or bike or something. Something to help cook healthier - a wok, steamer or breadmaker.

[Jos Theelen]

The idea is to get out of the habit of using food as a reward. Besides, I have the occasional brownie already, and have even been known to have some ice cream with it. I'm not depriving my self of food, just adjusting the portions and frequency.

OK, but you could get in the habit of eating some food only as a reward. Which means you only eat them in special occasions and not very often. Isn't that the whole idea of loosing weight?

[swallow]

The clothes thing takes a bit too long.  Hair cuts are good.  Books would be good.  Posh moisturisers.  A lie in !!!!!!  A hobby class - a bit expensive, but very enjoyable, or if you can't spare the time on a regular basis, a hobby day/weekend

[merithyn]

Instead of rewards...why not focus on habit changes that lead to long term lifestyle changes that help with weight loss?

I'm doing that, too. It's one of my biggest goals, actually, and in fact, I'm noticing some pretty big changes. I don't remember when I had fried food last, and I've found that a small piece of chocolate can be just as satisfying as a whole candy bar.

But it doesn't hurt to have goals that I'm working toward, too. Plus, then I get goodies.