Do you set goal rewards?
September 24, 2008
This weeks question comes from Jared. He asks…
Did you use prizes or incentives to lose weight–such as, if I stay on points this week I will get myself a ____________. Or if I lose a pound, I’ll get myself a ________?
While answering the question a few days ago, I realized this would make a great Question of the week! As I stated in the video, I tend to celebrate when I reach goals but I don’t necessarily set a goal reward for x number of pounds/points. I’m really curious how you guys feel about this.
Do you set rewards for yourself when you reach goals or do you wait until you hit a goal and then go celebrate?
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On September 24th, 2008 at 8:10 am vickie said:
I personally did NOT do the rewards thing – I did not want to take the mind that thought “let’s turn to food” and turn it toward something else – I did not want to trade my eating addiction into a spending addiction. Because moving from one thing to another seems like it would be VERY easy to do. I seem to do.
But what did happen – is that I learned to love the habits that empowered me to have a healtier life style. My yoga and my healthy food and my exercise and my clean(er) household habits and my clothes that fit and my new glasses and my great haircut all happened along the way – and they made the way much more enjoyable.
Check out vickies last blog post..Knowing HOW
On September 24th, 2008 at 8:11 am LeeAnn said:
This time, I told the husband that I want a new pair of running shoes if I make it to my goal. (this way I will have been running for awhile and know I am sticking to it) By the look of the scale this morning, I only have 8 pounds left!
Check out LeeAnns last blog post..Lost respect
On September 24th, 2008 at 8:41 am madison (follow my weigh) said:
i currently am trying out setting rewards for when i achieve a weight loss goal. but, i kind of think its “useless” because at the moment, losing weight is my greatest goal and maybe the one thing i want most right now, so no reward is really going to make me work harder for it than i already would be without some kind of reward. for example, for when i reach 143lbs, i told myself i could get two make-up products. haha make up products or no make up products, i’m GOING to reach 143lbs!
but i guess a reward can just be a nice incentive too..
Check out madison (follow my weigh)s last blog post..thinking about thanksgiving
On September 24th, 2008 at 8:49 am Brianne said:
Well, I peirced my nose when I after I reached 20lbs, but it wasn’t totally contingent on the loss, iykwim. But I do think it looks better on my slimmer face.
And I fully intend on a tummy tuck when I reach my goal. and my boobs and maybe the upper arms.
I actually had a list of things I wanted for every 10lb increment lost but my first 10lbs came off so fast, my list seemed silly all of the sudden. I figure the new clothes I required to buy because my old ones literally fall off me is a pretty sweet reward in many ways. 1. they are new and I get to shop for them. 2. They show me how well I’ve done. 3. they make me look fabulous! LOL!
But like Madison, reward or not, I’m DOING this. Nothing is stopping me.
Check out Briannes last blog post..Wow
On September 24th, 2008 at 8:55 am Alexia said:
I’ve thought about this and haven’t figured it out yet — right now, just seeing/feeling the weight come off and feeling better has been exciting and rewarding enough. I’ll read all the comments and try different things, though! I think it’s all about knowing ourselves and what motivates us. I’m much more motivated by recognition, for example, than stuff. (Guess I’m making progress in that arena, too!)
Check out Alexias last blog post..How I maintain my visual food and exercise diary: the details
On September 24th, 2008 at 9:08 am Christy said:
I agree with Brianne. I think it is going to be a reward to buy new cloths when the time comes. I also try to reward myself by trying new recipes each week. Instead of eating the same old stuff I try to make something new.
Right now my mom and my brother are following the same WW’s plan that I am. I want to reward all of us by going home for a nice long visit after/once we have all reached our goals next year. I think spending time with my family will be a nice vacation. And we will all be so used to counting points that we can all do it together.
Check out Christys last blog post..Laughing Cow Cheese
On September 24th, 2008 at 9:20 am Suzzan of Green Bay, WI said:
On March 1, 08 I changed my lifestyle. At that time, I had laid out a goal reward structure for my whole loss I planned to do. (at that time was 215.6 and goal was 175) So I planned goals for the 1st 15, then ten pounds thereafter. I did take my first 15lb goal met and did highlights in my hair. Then things just were going so well, (ie losing about 8-10lb in each 4 weeks) that the reward planned, get this, get that, I kind of did not want them. I think the reward became the changes in my body. I then changed my goal to 155. And yet again to 145 for a total of 70lb.
So the rewards I planned, just became unimportant. What became exciting is that I always have the next size down pants in the closet. I go to goodwill and get what I call goal pants. And every three weeks I would check if they fit. VERY EXCITING!!!!
And I did do two things that have helped. At 25 and 50 pounds lost, I purchased something of equal weight so that I can “feel” how much weight I lost. At 25lb, I purchased a 25 lb bag of flour. I kept it in my room, and when I was having a harder day, I would lift it. Then at 50 lb, the only thing I knew that was 50lb was Corn feed for deer (I live in WI… BIG HUNTERS HERE) So that is what is in my room at this time. a 50lb bag of deer corn feed. I DO LIFT IT OFTEN. I cannot always “see” the changes I have made in myself. I know they are there, but I think that it is just hard to ever see yourself as different. And when you can physically lift the lost weight AMAZING!!!! You never want that back on your body.
I am currently at 60lb lost. I am about 7 months into my change. I have 10 pounds left, but my time frame for the 70lb was December 31st. The last 10 are a little slower, but I am testing all that I have learned about myself in the last 7 months, so that is ok with me.
My final reward… out of necessity… will be a few more items of clothing. it is funny when you even have to buy smaller and smaller underwear.. WHO WOULD HAVE KNOWN!
On September 24th, 2008 at 9:23 am Leigh Anne said:
I had set up this whole elaborate list of fitness goals and the rewards I will get when I meet them and then promptly forgot about and just kept on working. DH and I do have a standing deal that for every 5 pounds we lose we get $20 extra in blow money. Since money is kind of tight this is a big deal to us. But the deal has been in place for close to a year now and I only recently started losing weight and it had nothing to do with the money. He has lost nothing, in fact I believe he has gained.
That being said, I agree that going shopping when you hit a new size is a great reward and once I meet my goal I plan on meeting with a surgeous re: tummy tuck and breast lift.
Check out Leigh Annes last blog post..Weigh in and Food journal
On September 24th, 2008 at 9:24 am Shannan said:
I don’t really use incentives, since the weight loss and fitness are their own rewards. I do have plans, though, for when I’m down to a certain size and can fit into something I’ve wanted to buy, etc. They are not my incentives, though. My mind set had changed to my goal being my reward, instead of relying on a carrot at the end of a stick. I won’t get to my goal if I turn to a thing to get me there.
If my goal is to be able to run an hour, then getting there is the reward. If my goal is to lose 25 more pounds, then getting there is the reward. If I told myself I could have something IF I get there, I don’t care enough about that something to make it happen. Then I fail.
As a side note, going along with the goal being my reward, this week I’m going to hit the weight I was at my wedding 10 years ago, and I’m going to put on my dress. That will be my reward that I earned by getting to this weight. I didn’t get to this weight because I wanted to put on the dress.
Check out Shannans last blog post..C25K Week Four Report…It’s Getting Better!
On September 24th, 2008 at 9:29 am Nana said:
At the age of 61 and learning for the first time I have high blood pressure, I knew it was time to join WW online again. THIS time, when I get down to the 199 lb. reading, I’m buying myself a decent weight scale. I have a cheapy, and want to invest in a really good digital scale where I don’t have to squint to read the numbers. :)
Maybe then I’ll think of something else for other lb.-loss markers. I’ve never used rewards for weight loss in the past, but I’ve found that losing weight gets much more difficult as I get older and I think I need that incentive.
Check out Nanas last blog post..Just catching up
On September 24th, 2008 at 9:57 am Lyndsey said:
If I lose 10 lbs, I’m going to Taco Bell! I’ve set all my goals at 10 lb increments and said every 10 lbs I lose, I will make a [healthy] choice at Taco Bell. Well, 10 lbs came and went and I had no desire to go. I have a feeling that the next 10 lbs is going to come and go and I probably won’t make the trip then either. Who cares that I don’t collect it, all the better for me. I think positive rewards collected or uncollected are important to keep your train of thought positive.
My past attempts at weight loss always used negative punishment. “If I DON’T lose a pounds this week, then I am NOT eating for two days… or I am NOT going to go out with my friends Friday night… Some type of thought that is suppose to punish me and get myself to buckle down. All it made me do was give up trying so I wouldn’t have to face a punishment.
Staying positive has been a huge contribution to my success so far. Sure, a weekly loss of .2 lbs is not what I wanted to see, but it’s a loss nonetheless. If that reward, whether it be food, new clothes, a haircut or that feeling of accomplishment, keeps you motivated, then keep it up.
Thank you Roni and all those that share their stories. Your words of encouragement and experience helps me everyday build the confidence and love for myself I never had before. The road on this journey seems a little less lonely since I found this site.
On September 24th, 2008 at 10:08 am Lynn C said:
I did the rewards thing for a while. Every five pounds lost, I was supposed to buy myself something…
I ended up losing enthusiasm for that idea; there’s just not that much stuff I *want* that isn’t expensive enough for me to feel horridly guilty about buying… however, I have been putting aside money, $10 for every pound lost, on the hopes that when I hit goal (another 40 pounds from now) I’ll have about $950 to buy a new wardrobe.
This didn’t work out so well either, because our car ended up needing a lot of work to pass inspection (too much work) and we ended up getting a different car, and had to dip into my saved up cash in order to do so. I’ve been trying to back-fill some of that cash, and keep up with the new losses, but finances are not entirely cooperating… still, if I can just keep up, a $500 wardrobe will be nice, too :D
Check out Lynn Cs last blog post..Shine
On September 24th, 2008 at 10:12 am Christine said:
I have a charm bracelet and I buy a charm for it with every 10 lbs loss. It is fun to search for a charm, and have it be appropriate for the time period. Having the charm bracelet on my arm is a nice motivator.
On September 24th, 2008 at 10:51 am AlliJag (Green Dog Wine) said:
I’ve said that as soon as I lose 10 pounds (my newest goal – I’m half way there) – I can buy a new pair of jeans. I’ve had the same “fat jeans” and “skinny jeans” for the past 8 years. No exaggeration. Ranging from size 8 to size 14. After I lose the last few pounds – I hope to buy some nice new, size 10 jeans :)
Check out AlliJag (Green Dog Wine)s last blog post..Not your typical Wednesday
On September 24th, 2008 at 10:55 am Jordanna said:
I have been putting $100 away for every ten pounds I lose. At the end I’m hoping to have an envelope with $1300 for a new wardrobe.
As for small rewards I am trying not to make them food related, because that’s what got me here in the first place so every now and then I go buy myself a cookbook or a dvd just because I’m worth it!
Check out Jordannas last blog post..I should be happy…
On September 24th, 2008 at 11:39 am Tennille said:
Ooo, I like that idea Jordanna! I’m think I”m going to have to do that.
I don’t have little goals set up along the way, but I do have an ultimate goal reward… To buy a new bikini and go to Hawai’i with my fiance. :o) I’ve never been, and it’s a dream of mine to go to Hawai’i. So, when I get to my ultimate goal we’re going.
I’m going to put up reminders all over the house so that I stay motivated and work hard toward that goal.
Check out Tennilles last blog post..Yesterday
On September 24th, 2008 at 11:47 am Carol said:
I was just thinking about this topic this morning. I lost 1.2 lbs this week, bringing my total loss to 45.8 lbs. After my meeting, I was feeling really good and decided to buy myself a new piece of clothing. It’s not a reward that I consciously set up beforehand, but it is certainly nice to treat yourself for sticking to a plan and making progress.
The bonus part for me was that I bought a new pair of jeans from the regular size section of the store! After making this discovery, I happily wandered around the store thinking about all the choices I’ll have soon. I think that will certainly help motivate me, but I still won’t set up a reward system based on a specific amount of weight loss. Right now, the weight loss is the reward.
On September 24th, 2008 at 11:48 am Casey said:
Lyndsey,
I just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS!!! Your weight loss is awesome! Your post was also really cute and put a smile on my face. Way to rock it!
On September 24th, 2008 at 12:05 pm Bonnie said:
No, I haven’t used rewards for the 88 pounds I’ve lost in the last 58 weeks, although from time to time I’ve had to buy some new clothes. I started out buying at Goodwill when I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to stay at that size long, but lately I’ve been buying at retail stores. I’ve got 4.4 pounds to go to reach my WW goal, and another 5 pounds after that to reach my personal goal, so I perhaps could go down another size still. And I’m like most of the others’ comments, in that getting to my goals are reward enough!
On September 24th, 2008 at 12:33 pm jenni said:
I have been giving myself $1 for every day that I stay on plan. I also give myself $1 for every time I turn down a tempting treat, for example not having a piece of my husband’s birthday cake or passing on dessert at a social gathering. All these dollars add up quick! I have used the money to buy things that I would not normally buy for myself, for example expensive salon conditioner or some nice hand cream. I don’t reward myself with things I would have bought either way, such as if I needed new clothes or a haircut etc., just splurge things. It has worked for me!
On September 24th, 2008 at 1:00 pm Carolynn F said:
I never set official goals. The only thing I did was allow myself to buy new clothes when my current ones became unflattering so I felt motivated to continue. I didn’t buy a whole new wardrobe since I hadn’t hit my overall goal but enough to look presentable and feel good about my progress.
On September 24th, 2008 at 1:13 pm Inny said:
I’m still reaching the first 10 pounds mark, so the excitement of losing is still a reward in itself. Also, when I reach my goal weight I will need new clothes and I can’t wait to go shopping!
Check out Innys last blog post..I wish…
On September 24th, 2008 at 1:31 pm KK said:
Losing weight and getting healthy is my greatest reward!! And, as I keep loosing weight, I have to buy smaller clothes, so that is another reward!
Check out KKs last blog post..6 month recap
On September 24th, 2008 at 1:42 pm Pubsgal said:
I didn’t set up a reward system for the whole process, but when I get to my halfway point, I’m going to go horseback riding at a fancy local place that has Tennessee Walking Horses. I’ve always wanted to do it, but I haven’t been in the correct weight range; my halfway point is well below the minimum, but it’s an expensive outing.
I really like the idea that several of you have for saving up a certain amount for a certain number of pounds lost. That would sure help with getting some nice, new clothes later on!
p.s. Tennille, I highly recommend Hawaii! :-) It’s my favorite vacation place.
Check out Pubsgals last blog post..Weekly weigh-in: -43
On September 24th, 2008 at 2:25 pm Erin said:
I try to focus on the reward of sanity around food. When I reach weight loss goals I feel so much better and that is reward enough most of the time. Next to my list of weight loss goals I keep a list of upcoming events and their dates including holidays. This keeps me motivated but is also a mini reward knowing that when I have Christmas Card pictures taken this year I will weigh less than I did last year etc.
Check out Erins last blog post..In the beginning…Part Three
On September 24th, 2008 at 4:05 pm Annette said:
I haven’t really set goal rewards. I think when I hit the half way mark, I am going to buy some new clothes. It’s about 10 lbs away.
Check out Annettes last blog post..Progress Photos/HYC Update/CC Xmas Challenge–Just a bit late :)
On September 24th, 2008 at 4:51 pm Maranda said:
Sometimes I do, it really depends. When I do I follow 2 rules. Keep the goals small (Like if I exercise today) and the reward is something that I don’t really need. For example I don’t use haircuts because I need that, but watching my favorite show, I don’t need:)
Check out Marandas last blog post..What I did this weekend…
On September 24th, 2008 at 11:02 pm Michele said:
I did not set any goal rewards while I was losing. I’m the type of person that buys what I want when I want it so the rewards thing would not have worked for me. My reward was reaching my goal and finally getting back into a size that I haven’t been in many years. I lost almost 65 pounds and went through many wardrobes in the losing stage but I didn’t buy the clothes as a reward, I bought them because all the old ones were too big and they were falling off me!
On September 25th, 2008 at 1:22 am Christie said:
I set rewards at a certain goal. Not every 5 pounds or anything but say once I reach 170 (a weight where I really start to notice a slimmer body), I will do something nice for myself. I don’t really plan a certain thing but I might get a haircut, a pedicure, or something special.
On September 25th, 2008 at 9:39 am Rosie said:
I don’t see the harm in rewards after all it just gives us that extra incentive to lose weight.
I’ve recently given myself a very good reason to lose weight and that has proven very powerful in getting back into shape and losing weight. For the first time in years people are saying how good I look.
Check out Rosies last blog post..Tips To Help Sufferers Of The Condition Rosacea
On September 25th, 2008 at 10:08 am Kassie said:
I have set an ultimate reward when I get to goal – get my teeth whitened! I have tried smaller goals, but I find that it frustrates me, especially since I started weight-training (my weight tends to stay constant, although the inches are going down). I get discouraged when I don’t reach the goal I’ve set for myself….and then I feel guilty if I set my goals to “low”. Anyone else feel this way?
Check out Kassies last blog post..Kelly
On September 25th, 2008 at 12:13 pm SMK said:
Small rewards don’t really motivate me but I’m hoping to reach my goal weight by my anniversary next year and if I do, I would love to take some pin-up style photos to give to my husband.
On January 2nd, 2009 at 8:49 am Geri said:
Chiming in a little bit late – ok a lot late! I’ve tried to do the rewards thing before, but I just got bored waiting and went and got what I wanted anyway. This time, I’m rewarding every month I stay on plan – rewarding perseverance rather than a specific number on the scales. January’s reward: an afternoon in Starbucks with a skinny caramel macchiato and one of the new books I got for Christmas.
On January 25th, 2009 at 4:55 pm Kelsey said:
Hello – I am also a bit late in commenting, but I was just thinking about this today so I came here to read other people’s thoughts on the subject. I’ve come to the conclusion that since I’m not actually spending money on WW meetings (I’m a poor college student), I’ll buy myself a small something every few weeks I stay on plan. I love oatmeal, so I’ve decided to buy a new oatmeal bowl every few weeks. I view it as somewhat of a reward/incentive to keep eating healthy.