I'm only about 1/3 of the way to my weight loss goal, so I've got a few months to go. But, I found myself thinking today that I can't wait until I reach my goal because I'll finally be able to indulge in all the sweet treats I've been limiting. And, then I snapped back to reality. I want to keep the weight off. And, while I do allow myself an occasional treat, I can't ever go back to eating as much junk as I want. The weight will come right back on, and all my hard work will have been for nothing. I have to continue to make good food choices (most of the time) for the rest of my life.
This left me with a dilemma. When I reach my weight goal what should I do? Most milestones in my life thus far have been celebrated with cake, drinks, and big fatty meals. But, that doesn't seem like an appropriate award for weight loss. So, I've decided that when I reach my goal I'm treating myself to a manicure and pedicure. It's going to be awesome. And, I've got something to look forward to.
How did you reward yourself when you reached your weight loss goal? Or how do you plan to reward yourself when you get there? Do you reward yourself for reaching other goals?
Hi Krissy. About 11 years ago I had gained some weight and I had about 5 months notice that I would be attending a son's college graduation, and I didn't want to buy a new suit. None of my dress up clothes fit anymore. So I went on a very restrictive diet with daily exercise and plenty of ephedra pills. (they are now illegal, but weren't then) I got down to goal weight. Once I reached goal and attended his graduation I went back to eating all the foods that got me fat in the first place. I quit the daily exercise too. So here I am trying to go from fat to fit a second time, only without the pills. I think I've learned that aside from celebrating weight loss goal, we need to set new and continual health and fitness goals that become a life style change from "being on a diet" to "this is my new life." JMHO but that is how I am looking at it:)
ReplyDeleteGreat point! I totally agree with you. I'm trying to lose this weight by making real permanent changes to my diet and exercise instead of going on a crash diet. I'm hoping this will help me to keep the weight off when I reach my goal. I think it will be harder for me to maintain the weight loss than it is to lose it. While I'm losing I can see the pounds coming off every week, and that helps to motivate me. Once I reach my goal I will have to work just as hard to keep from going backwards. I think you're right that continuing to set new fitness goals will help to motivate me once the weight is off.
DeleteI like the idea of rewarding yourself with the pedicure and manicure when you reach your goal. I treat myself to a pedicure when I make good progress (I still have a ways to go in weight loss). It is a lovely indulgence!
ReplyDeleteI do like how you recognized that you can not go back to eating things like you did before once you get to your goal. I know I can never do that or I will be right back where I was.
Thanks for commenting on my blog. Good luck!
I have rewarded myself at every 10 lb. weight loss goal. It's usually something small, but it gives me something to work towards! My ultimate goal is a trip to Hawaii. My husband I won't travel there until I reach goal and it's a place that I really want to visit! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I look forward to following yours!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds even better! I wish a trip to Hawaii would fit in my budget right now. Maybe that can be my reward for maintaining for ~5 years (that should give me time to save).
DeleteHi! I found you from another blog I follow and just wanted to say hello. Congrats on being 1/3rd of the way to your goal. I love your idea of a mani and a pedi as a prize instead of cake and other sweets. I'm going to have to remember that. Truthfully, I haven't thought about how I am going to reward myself for reaching my goal... I guess it's too early into my journey, but now I will have to think of something!
ReplyDeleteI do reward myself at 10 pound marks. I will indulge in a pair of my favorite jeans, once I bought myself a new I-Pod or indulge in a spa day. It is a geat idea to reward yourself as you lose weight. You have worked hard and deserve to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on being 1/3 closer to your goal weight. I think I'm about 1/45 closer to mine, so we have that in common. When I get to my goal weight the first place I'm going is to a place like Disney World, I'm gonna sit my tiny butt down in every single ride they have, kiddie rides and all!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds fabulous!
Deletea meni and pedi sounds fun =) I feel like when I reach my goal I could never go back to my old eating habits, but of course I want to eat things that I am not allowed to eat now! So my plans are to eat smart during the weekdays kinda like what I eat now but hey if I want to eat pasta for dinner I will but a much smaller portion than what I was used to eating. I am also going to keep eating 5 times a day which doesn't make me go hungry at all. (My biggest problem before I started losing the weight was that I would only eat lunch and dinner but huge portions!! big no no) But if I go out on weekends I will allow myself to eat yummy things, smaller portions though but if I want chocolate and lasagna I will have it.
ReplyDeleteI recently decided that when I get below 200, I'm going to reward myself with jewelry. I've 35 pounds to go (I've lost almost 30 pounds so far), but the jewelry I want isn't cheap.
ReplyDeletePerhaps I should find some less expensive jewelry that I like to celebrate mini-goals...like having lost 30 pounds ;)
When I lost weight I rewarded myself with new clothes! Each time I went down in a size, I bought myself something new. It really motivated me and was a much healthier way to reward myself than to use food.
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