20 replies to this topic

[Lisa Bilz]

Welcome to Week 9 of the Survivor Challenge!

This week we are going to focus on rewards, something that causes all kinds of challenges on Survivor. Often the reward is some type of food, like the milk and chocolate cake reward from last week. How often do we "reward" ourselves with some type of food for something good (or bad) that has happened to us?

The challenge for us this week is to identify one of these rewards and find a non-caloric replacement for that reward. For example: I lost two pounds last week so I decided to have an extra glass of wine with my dinner to "celebrate" my success. Hmm, does that seem a little counter-productive? I think this ties in well with everything that we were talking about in Week 8. We tend to sabotage our successes. It would have been a better idea to reward myself with something else, like a 30 minute massage or a bouquet of fresh flowers.


I found this article on line so I am attaching it for your reading pleasure:

Reward Yourself for Reaching Weight Loss Goals

Looking at the big picture can often be intimidating. If you have a lot of weight to lose, realistically, it could be a long road ahead until your reach your goal weight. It is important to reward yourself throughout your weight loss journey to stay motivated.
First, set up your long-term and short-term goals for your weight loss efforts. These goals should be personal and focus on the things you need the most improvement on.

Long-Term Weight Loss Goals

Long-term weight loss goals are important for the big picture. You should have a vision of your final goals. What is your goal weight or size? What will it feel like when you reach this goal?
Examples of long-term weight loss goal rewards include:
• A weekend vacation or cruise.
• A new wardrobe in your new, smaller size.
• Update your look.
• A large piece of workout equipment.

Once you have this image of your end result, break it down into smaller chunks. Goal-orientated rewards work better if they occur more often. Even small rewards can keep you motivated to stay on track.
Short-Term Weight Loss Goals
Short-term weight loss goals can be all the bits and pieces that collectively bring you to your long-term goal. They can be related to weigh loss, food, exercise, water intake and other areas of personal improvement.
The key with short-term goals is to set small, achievable goals and reward yourself frequently. Create a simple chart to track your progress and watch as your rewards quickly add up, giving you another reason to stay on track.

Some examples of short-term goals are:

• Reaching a weekly cardio limit.
• Staying within your daily calorie range.
• Drinking 8 or more cups of water per day.
• Reaching a 5-pound weight loss.
• Reaching a 5-inch loss according to a tape measure.
• Creating and completing challenges.

Using Rewards for Motivation to Lose Weight

It can be difficult to stay on track with your weight loss program if you feel deprived. Deprivation often occurs when people cut back on calories and increase their exercise while working on lifestyle changes. You have to break the habit of rewarding yourself with food. It will be easier to adapt if you put something else in its place. Try using small rewards to stay motivated. The reward should be pre-determined and something you are willing to work for. Rewards should not consist of food.

Examples of small rewards include:

• Workout clothes.
• Running shoes.
• A massage.
• A manicure/pedicure.
• A book, CD or DVD.
• Dumbbells, medicine ball or resistance bands.
• Costume jewelry.
• Heart-rate monitor watch.
• Craft supplies.

Soon you will work harder and stay on track because you will look forward to treating yourself to these rewards as you work towards your long term weight loss goal.
Updated 03/12/11

[Lisa Bilz]

So, I've identified my "guilty" reward. I reward myself for weight loss with that extra glass of wine with my dinner. I am going to replace that with a "non-guilty" reward. I am going to reward myself with a mini-massage when I reach my 15 lb weight-loss goal. If things go well, I should be there with this WI. If not, it is something fun to look forward to for next week.

I realize that this isn't our typical "fitness" challenge, but I think this is really about mental fitness.

Good luck this week, and Happy Early Mother's Day to all of you.

[All-in-Ang]

I like it Lisa!!!!
I'm going to reward myself with the bluetooth BMF display when I hit 30 lbs (which will also be half way for me). 10 lbs to go for this as of Tuesday...hopefully a few less when I WI tomorrow:)


Cheers,
Ang.

[LoseItIn2011]

Thanks to everyone for the responses to my other post - I appreciate the support! I've been waiting to hit 10% weight loss so I can get my hair highlighted. I haven't really thought about rewards after that. So this week I'll try to come up with a plan for that.

[All-in-Ang]

Yeah! Lost 3.4lbs at WI today...so that's a total of 4.4lbs for the week (since Tuesday wasn't an official WI..just me checking on myself).
That puts me at the exact weight I was before the vacation fiasco:)
Now my ticker is correct again and can't wait to break new ground next week.

6.3 lbs to the 160s!!!

WHOO-HOO!!!!!!

[Lisa Bilz]

Way to go Ang!! That is terrific! Now you need to reward yourself.

Lose it in 2011, I think this is what it's all about. And I bet those highlights are going to look great on your new healthier body. When we set those rewards up, it gives us something tangible to work towards. Good luck this week. I'm looking forward to seeing your next reward.

[dietmama]

Hi ladies!
I'm so sorry I've been MIA. I've had a rough couple of weeks with some personal things that you may have read on other threads. Anyway, I'm so ready to be back!
Sounds like everyone has been doing great. Congrats!!
Lisa, LOVED the article you posted by the way.

SO, I haven't met the challenges for a few weeks now, and I will do my best to do it this time around. I have noticed that my rewards have had to do more with skipping workouts. The minute I have a good week, I let myself reward myself with more TV, more book reading, etc, etc, and skipping my runs or gym time. This week, especially since I haven't worked out in TWO weeks, I am committed to go 4 times. I am thinking of the time as ME time. I don't need to push myself but just GO.

As for my WIs, they've actually gone well - most probably because I haven't been eating much for the first time in my life. Either way, I hope it's not too tough to add those losses in...

Good luck this week!

[Ladybug 88]

Nice to hear from you dietmama, glad you have been losing and hope your routine gets better and better!

Ang - yay - you are ready to move into new territory!

Loseit - congrats on reaching 10%.

Lisa - i really liked the article and maybe i will make a chart when on vacation as i make my goals too big I think.

I did not make it to WI last Saturday - had to go into the office unexpectedly for a few hours. Believe weight would have been same or slightly up. Thank goodness for my hoarding tendencies, as i have food on hand but have a list to get me thry to the weekend in my purse - hope i can make it there tomorrow!
Today was a bit more serene from the incredible grind I am in right now - had to go on a course so it was like a day off - 3 more days to complete my office move and then off to Cuba this weekend - woohoo!!

I plan to try and WI this Saturday just to get my weightloss numbers prior to trip. My reward if I make my Cuba goal is a manicure; I have already earned the pedicure!

[Darbyk]

Hi everyone,

Sorry I have been MIA for the last 2 weeks, been in a real funk and it has been real hard trying to care about what I eat and exercising. Sometimes I start to feel like why bother to work so hard when I let myself go when life gets more difficult. Well amazingly enough I didn't gain last week, but I didn't lose either. With as much emotional eating I was doing, that is pretty amazing.

I know it's seems like its too easy of a goal, but since today is Thursday, I'm planning to follow my eating plan Friday and Saturday and will exercise both days. If I complete these goals, I'm going to splurge and get my toe nails painted french style with a flower. I think I'm feeling a little desperate to have time for myself so that should be a nice treat.

Good night all.

[All-in-Ang]

Hey Darby,

Eating and exercising to plan is never easy! Sorry to hear that you're in a funk. Hang in there and you absolutely deserve to reward yourself!!! Don't worry about what did or didn't happen yesterday...today i a new day and you can control what happens today.

You can do this and we're all here to support you:)
Keep it up and I hope that the funk lifts soon.

Cheers,
Ang.

[LoseItIn2011]

Hi
I had my WI this morning since we are leaving for vacation tomorrow. I lost .7 - not sure how since it's that time of month and I've been snacking. But I'll take it. I decided my reward after highlights would be new bras - nice ones that fit right
I'm just not sure when that reward will be - it it will be a 15% reward or something else.
I'll be on vacation all of next week - so my next WI isn't until the 20th. Good luck next week everyone.

[Ladybug 88]

Hello all - yet another week when I am about the same (no official WI yet, maybe today) - BUT - this is okay as last week I moved offices, spent 10 & 12 hour days at work to do so - and at the office had many special food days & treats (both ends of move!). So my activity plan mostly fell by the wayside, sleep became intermittent and yet I did not go off the rails - so Hallelujah!!!

Tomorrow will be a special meal again (Mum's day), then I fly out to Cuba in the evening. I will be gone until May 18th, so whatever challenge you all decide on, I will join when i get back. I do like the idea of walking somewhere.
I also hope we do stick together - for better or worse lol - as support is so important in this journey. I am determined to not let life defeat me! All in all, as a group we seem to be losing and then holding onto our losses when we don't and that is fantastic. i cannot wait until Leslie give us our new totals! Sorry I think i miss the finale.

I can do this - WE CAN DO THIS - a rough patch is not the end unless we give up. Do you want to give up? Gain back the weight, just be fat? I DO NOT. I want to reach goal - and reward myself for getting thru rough patches as well as weight loss!

So - no mani for me - but new bras sounds like a great plan Thanks for the idea - my girls will be riding high in Cuba lol! I hope to get to Jenny today, no consult but want to get food as I have my food planned out for the week I return (and my WI appt made for May 21) and now I will whip over to the department store and go bra shopping too while in the area!

Blessings,

Ladybug

[All-in-Ang]

Well said Ladybug...I think we're doing great as a group and I can tell you that all of you ladies motivate me!!!!!

I weigh in tomorrow...fingers crossed!!! I think it's going to be a good weigh in this week...any loss at all will put me into new territory..but according to my scale I'm looking at 2 and a half lbs! (but, I'll not get to excited about this until I hit the official Jenny scale).

I hope that all of the moms in the group have a great day tomorrow.

Cheers,
Ang,

[Ladybug 88]

Ladies - I went back to sleep after my last post - so tired! - and slept for another 4 hours. To my amazement today my weight on the scale finally moved! I made it to Jenny 15 min before they closed and a had a quick WI while they pulled my food - down 2.4!!. So I only missed my Cuba goal by .2, given the past couple of weeks I am very happy and bought not 1 but 3 new bras, and have pedicure appt set for 5:45pm. WooHoo!

Now to do laundry and pack....

"talk" to you on my return,

[dietmama]

Congrats Ladybug!
Have a great vacation. I can't wait to hear all about it. I did my graduate school thesis on Cuba and always wanted to visit but they cut off visas right as I was planning my trip.
My husband's family is also from Cuba so we talk about visiting at some point.

Anyway, I made my goal this week. I "worked out" 4 times. I truly thought of it as me time and didn't push myself, just WENT. It felt great to have the pressure off and kind of enjoyed the jogs and gym time. I enjoyed it so much that I'm going to squeeze another jog in before our Mother's Day breakfast tomorrow.

I hope you all have a great Sunday. Happy Mom's Day to all of you out there!

[All-in-Ang]

Yeah Ladybug!! So happy for you!!! I'm finding that when I get some decent sleep in the scale moves for me too.

Yeah Dietmama!! It's good to move:) I really relish my "jogging me time":) I'm warning you...it becomes addicitive. I get downright cranky if I don't get my exercise in every week.

I weighed in today and lost 3 lbs! Actually, I also hit a lot of milestones;
1. more than 25 lbs lost (26.4 to be exact:)
2. more than 20 inches lost (21 to be precise:)
and the one that probably means most to me of all....
3. My BMI is now below 30 (29.7), which means I'm no longer obese but merely overweight!!! YIPPEE!!!!!

And I start on another endevour tonight....I start training for a half marathon that I want to run in October....hopefully you'll all stick with me through the miles and hours of pain, chaffeing (sp?) and hurt feet that will ensue:)

So as a result, I've decide to change my 30lb reward from the BMF bluetooth readout to a nice running watch that can track distance run for me.

Cheers all!!!
Ang.

[Leslie74]

Hi all I am back!

I had a 0.6 gain this week at my WI Friday. However, considering that I didn't eat all my JC food that I brought with me as planned, and I was drinking a couple glasses of wine each night, I'll take it! I did get in a lot of walking..with the hotel conference area so large, I was making 13K steps daily, and on Tuesday I was over 15K. I flew home Thursday night and went IMMEDIATELY for a walk with the hubby and dogs. So that was a good way to destress. I think my WI on Friday I was still holding a lot of travel bloating and stress, so I'm hoping I go down this week.

Birthday weekend was great! Hubby treated me to a wonderful 1 hour spa massage on Saturday and then on my birthday we went downtown Old Sacramento and walked around just for fun.

I feel like I have been going NONSTOP since last Sunday. Yesterday I threw together an impromptu B-day party for my step-daughter who is turning 15 tomorrow. Then I went out to dinner with a could of friends to say goodbye to a good friend who is moving to Pennslyvania this week. Today...I was rewarded with a day all to myself at the house with no one around and I am SOOOO enjoying the quiet time. The kids all went to their mom's for mother's day and my hubby drove to see his parents in the bay area. So I'm all alone...I did a few chores, took ALL 3 dogs for a walk, then just spent about an hour doing a dance cardio workout DVD and then a 20 minute walking DVD. YAY ME! So I had to come on and say hello and that I am back and ready to roll!

I definitely fell off the food train this week. So I'm back on board as of today.

Thanks so much for starting this week's board! I LOVE the challenge goal by the way - what a great idea! I always reward myself with food...so I'm really going to have to think about it a little what I want to begin rewarding myself with that isn't food related. Hmmmm....total change in thinking.

I'll start the next week's board. I've MISSED YOU ALL!!!!!

Now that my conference is over, I will have time this week to sift through the past couple of weeks' message boards and update our stats. I promise to post how the teams are doing sometime this week!!!

[Leslie74]

I think my first non-food related reward will be for getting into the 220s. It felt great a week ago to get to 239...so I want to be 229 by June...and for getting into the 220s, I will reward myself with a big yoga ball that I can use in my office as a chair instead of a regular chair (I hear it is great for you to do so, and I have never tried before).

Here's to making my goal by June!

[All-in-Ang]

Great to have you back Leslie...and I know that you can do it!!!!
Cheers,
Ang.

[Lisa Bilz]

Hi everyone,

It sounds like a lot of great discussion for this week's challenge. Sorry I was MIA, last week was pretty crazy. I taught all week and it really messed with my exercise plan. I was up almost a pound and am very frustrated. Oh well, my reward is still a tangible, I am only 1 1/2 lbs from my mini massage. It's good to hear back from everyone, and we are in this together!!

Lisa