18 Ways To Reward Yourself
By: Stephanie Osfield
There’s a trick to making your weight-loss journey more pleasant — and your goal more attainable. Set achievable mini-goals, then reward yourself when you meet them.
If you don't celebrate small, everyday lifestyle changes there will be times when your long-term weight-loss goal seems so far away that you'll despair or be tempted to give up. Having little stops to celebrate along the way makes that journey more pleasant — and your goal more likely to be achieved.
Come up with goals that are unique to you and the challenges you face with weight loss. Keep them realistic and varied, and track them closely.
Then, when you meet one of your mini-milestones, give yourself a reward! Just like your goals, your rewards should be varied and unique to you. And they don’t have to put a dent in your wallet (unless you want them to!).
For under $5, why not …
* Sip on a cup of tea in the sun.
* Finish the day with a long, candlelit soak in the tub.
* Enjoy a leisurely Sunday morning. Take the phone off the hook and spend the morning in your pajamas reading a book or devouring a few magazines.
* Savor a celebratory glass of wine with dinner.
For under $10, why not …
* Open a “pamper me” bank account: Deposit $10 for every week you've stuck to your weight-loss plan, or for every pound you’ve lost.
* Splurge on a bouquet of flowers just for you.
* Take the time to give yourself a full manicure, complete with a new shade of nail polish.
* Buy a relaxation tape and use it daily.
For $20 to $45, why not …
* Pay your neighbor's teenager to do your food shopping for you. Just make a list, and then relax.
* String a hammock up in the backyard and spend an afternoon napping in the sun.
* Phone your distant friends. Choose a time when the phone company has low rates and you can spend hours catching up.
* Enjoy a new haircut or color.
* Enjoy a pedicure or facial.
For over $50, why not …
* Devote the entire day to a shopping spree for a new pair of shoes.
* Splurge on a bottle of expensive champagne — just because you deserve it.
* Rent a sailboat with friends and spend the day soaking up ocean breezes.
* Sign up for a membership to your favorite art gallery, or subscribe to a theater company for the next season.
* Hire a maid for the day — to cook and clean while you kick back.
There’s a trick to making your weight-loss journey more pleasant — and your goal more attainable. Set achievable mini-goals, then reward yourself when you meet them.
If you don't celebrate small, everyday lifestyle changes there will be times when your long-term weight-loss goal seems so far away that you'll despair or be tempted to give up. Having little stops to celebrate along the way makes that journey more pleasant — and your goal more likely to be achieved.
Come up with goals that are unique to you and the challenges you face with weight loss. Keep them realistic and varied, and track them closely.
Then, when you meet one of your mini-milestones, give yourself a reward! Just like your goals, your rewards should be varied and unique to you. And they don’t have to put a dent in your wallet (unless you want them to!).
For under $5, why not …
* Sip on a cup of tea in the sun.
* Finish the day with a long, candlelit soak in the tub.
* Enjoy a leisurely Sunday morning. Take the phone off the hook and spend the morning in your pajamas reading a book or devouring a few magazines.
* Savor a celebratory glass of wine with dinner.
For under $10, why not …
* Open a “pamper me” bank account: Deposit $10 for every week you've stuck to your weight-loss plan, or for every pound you’ve lost.
* Splurge on a bouquet of flowers just for you.
* Take the time to give yourself a full manicure, complete with a new shade of nail polish.
* Buy a relaxation tape and use it daily.
For $20 to $45, why not …
* Pay your neighbor's teenager to do your food shopping for you. Just make a list, and then relax.
* String a hammock up in the backyard and spend an afternoon napping in the sun.
* Phone your distant friends. Choose a time when the phone company has low rates and you can spend hours catching up.
* Enjoy a new haircut or color.
* Enjoy a pedicure or facial.
For over $50, why not …
* Devote the entire day to a shopping spree for a new pair of shoes.
* Splurge on a bottle of expensive champagne — just because you deserve it.
* Rent a sailboat with friends and spend the day soaking up ocean breezes.
* Sign up for a membership to your favorite art gallery, or subscribe to a theater company for the next season.
* Hire a maid for the day — to cook and clean while you kick back.
