OK, I keep doing this to myself and am getting very frustrated. I’ll hit one of my mini goals and be all happy about it, call my mom, brag to my husband. Then I’ll go on to the fridge and reward myself with a little ice cream. The problem is that I don’t stop there. I reward myself everyday (maybe twice) for about a week. Then my mini goal has to be reached again, and it takes another two weeks and I no longer feel good about it. I’m just mad that I did myself in when I should be well on my way to the next mini goal.

Does anyone else do this, and has anyone figured out how to stop it? I don’t want to be a downer, but I really need help. And I know this is the place I can get it.

Thanks,
Bree

Oh yeah ...that sounds familiar.  The Trick for me was to find rewards that aren’t food based.  My first one was my excersise ball, but i also find shoes and clothes a great reward (especially when you get to start buying smaller sizes!  )

I’ll try that, thanks. I always say I’m going to do that, then I spend the money on my family. I feel a little guilty doing for myself. But a fabulous new skirt would probably make my husband happy too. 

Hi Bree -

I was thinking about your post last night, and came up with the same suggestion as Khrystyne.  Since goals come in different sizes, my treats do too.  Sometimes it’s just buying a couple of song downloads for a few dollars or a new book or DVD for a few more.  I also am a sucker for sweet smelling lotion.  And then of course there are the bigger rewards of new smaller clothes or new workout gear/equipment. 

I can appreciate your comment about feeling guilty about treating yourself. While I don’t have kids, I do understand that many moms feel this way.  So while I think you should definitely treat yourself if you’ve earned it, a range of treat sizes to match your achieved goals might make it easier for you to do.

Good luck and keep posting.

Laura

I’ve decided to treat myself with an I-tunes gift card that I do not use to buy my daughters’ favorite songs. Last time I spent $10 of the $15 on them. That way I can keep fresh music for my walks. I’ll let you know how I do after I weigh myself on Sunday morning. By the way, my mini goal is 150 for the third time in a month. This is the first one I’ve had to hit more than twice.

Thanks again,
Bree

Hi Bree,

Ditto, Ditto, Ditto.  I have rewarded myself a full six possibly seven pounds.  I’m mad at myself about it but so what. Nothing will change until I make the change for life.  I have been within the last 15 pounds for two years.  I get within 10 pounds of my goal and then see how much I can eat without gaining - dumb.  Yesterday I came back to MTM pod casts. I heard of Scott’s wifes illness for the first time.  Well six years ago was my motivating moment.  One night as I sat eating my candy after dinner knowing diabetes is in my family I thought about a close friend who had just undergone a bone marrow transplant and what amazing things he was doing to stay alive. The switch flipped for me - I must honor and love myself enough to maintain the health I have.  When we really look at ourselves we are so lucky to have pounds to work off without having illness.  It’s all so simple in the mind but hard to stay on track.  Scott’s life crisis has made much clear to me again. I am in focus today because all you and I really have to do is not over eat and exercise and we will be much more healthy and happy.  Being healthy for ourselves and families is enough reward and encouragement anyone needs it’s just that we have to look at it very close sometimes.  By the way me friend has been cancer free for two years and is enjoying his life everyday with family.  Hope you can get motivated to reach past your mini goal - I’m going for mine.

Cheers
Sherrylea

Hi Bree -

Maybe you could get yourself a magazine subscription for a reward… I love mine because they keep giving me motivation every month… I love reading the success stories… My favorites are shape and fitness.... I get mine through mags4cheap.com the prices are unbelievable but you really do get the mags!…

I also am a thrift store junkie… and I go about once a week and get a new workout outfit or a pair of pants a little to tight to work for....and the stuff is cheap!… Plus, once you start getting smaller and smaller it’s very inexpensive to get a whole new wardrobe....

Also, I have two little boys...and when I hated buying clothes cause I looked terrible and didn’t like buying that big of sizes… I bought EVERYTHING for them.... Now, that I am getting smaller and smaller I am a shopaholic… good thing I’m frugal...but I love buying CLOTHES now… That has been my biggest motivator to stay away from TREATS…

Good Luck Bree… I’m sure you’ll get it… Especially since you realize you are doing it!

Take care,

VAL

Thanks guys. I did make my mini goal, just waiting for tomorrow to see if I managed to keep it this time. I bought myself a cubic zirconia ring at JCPenneys for ten buck (great sale). It looks amazing. I had lost 2 1/2 ring sizes! If I have dropped more, I’m getting new workout clothes. Just a couple pair of pants, starting to get cold out there. But I have also been getting a huge amount of compliments from everyone. I must be looking thinner, and that feels awesome.

Bree

Just an update, I stayed under 150 this week! Didn’t lose any pounds, but lost about 2 1/2 inches over all. I’ll definitely take that. I also started running last week a little. Found a podcast that talks you through a nine week program and tells you when to run and when to walk. It’s great. It’s called Couch to 5K if anyone wants to check it out.  Now I’m off to find new clothes!

Thanks for all the support.
Bree

couch to 5k...sounds great!

let us know how you do!

Thanks for the support. I’m almost done with week 2, and I’m feeling great. The only problem is one dog bite and another attempt. I’m joining the Y today and letting the dogs take back the neighborhood. I’ve reported the problem, so hopefully I can hit the road sometimes too. I love being outside with all the beaustiful fall colors.

Bree

Thanks for the heads-up on the C25K podcasts! I did that program about a year ago and went from barely being able to jog 1/16th of a mile to jogging over 2 miles non-stop! But then I got really sick, then finals came, then Christmas....excuses, excuses. I’m planning on starting it again soon, so I’ll definitely use the podcasts this time. Good luck with the program!