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The problem is twofold:One - If I want something, I buy or have it. This is in part what got me fat. But even non-food things, if I want it and can afford it and still pay my bills, I usually get it. Now, there are plenty of things that I want that I don't need, such as a Chromebook, a spa day, or a new car, and I recognize that these are extravagant wants. So I don't get them.
Wannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnt.
Two - I have a hard time rationalizing "deserving" a reward for losing weight. I shouldn't have ever been in this boat to begin with, why do I deserve a vacation or expensive trinket for something I shouldn't have had to do in the first place?
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All that being said, I would really, really love a vacation. I haven't taken a vacation in over five years. I could afford a reasonable vacation, and I will have some vacation by this autumn... but I can't wrap my head around taking a week off to go somewhere and still get paid. I worked as a contractor for the past two and a half years, and a waitress before that, and I just can't imagine not working but getting paid. I am used to working my ass off for no rewards (aka "vacation"), so I am trying to adjust my thinking to get to the point where I value myself enough to allow myself to have good things.
What have you used to reward yourself or motivate yourself to achieve a goal?
I bought myself a really expensive pair of jeans last spring when I lost a few pounds/got fitter. I've stopped weighing myself at all now and I really just use the jeans to keep me on track. Although they do fit a little tighter now that my new apartment is on the same street as every dive bar in my city. Worth it :) Oh, and I don't think you should tell yourself that you don't deserve a reward for losing weight when you absolutely do. Weight loss is hard work!
ReplyDeleteWhat about something fitness related? A piece of equipment, clothing or a class that you wouldn't normally spend the money on? Then you're rewarding yourself with something that will enhance your health.
ReplyDeleteClothing is a definite possibility, especially once I lose more weight (and can therefore fit into straight-sized clothes). Classes, well... I'm already shelling out money for those! :)
DeleteI just clicked over to your blog from Theodora's, hi!
ReplyDeleteI'm not trying to lose weight, but I do have a very elaborate system for rewards that I use to motivate me to do other things in life (like finish my master's thesis). I listened to a RadioLab podcast once about rewards (related to smoking), and one of the features of a good reward system is that it has to be instant. Instant gratification is really powerful. I keep a a list of small (L'Occtaine soap, a boar-bristle hair brush, those really beautiful pots from Anthropologie for herbs, whatever) and choose one of them when I hit certain goals. I find that the most motivating things are things that would improve my quality of life and provide sensory pleasure for my other senses (touch, smell, etc.) For running, I make myself "earn" new running stuff by hitting various mileage goals. I wanted a new Garmin for a year but wouldn't let myself have it because I wasn't taking running seriously enough to throw $200 into it. A few weeks ago I hit 40 miles per week for the first time and finally treated myself to the watch I wanted. Anyway, this was long. Hello!
This is a really good way to think of it. Instantaneous... I'll have to make a list of things like that. Thanks for popping over! :)
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