This article is not a research article. This will be an off the cuff opinion piece.
As someone who struggles with food issues and is now working on the challenge of finding other ways to reward my achievements besides going out to eat or eating that ooey gooey treat, I thought I’d research how others reward their victories.
In one of the groups I have joined, one lady has a shoe box filled with non-food rewards, as she reaches her goals she draws a slip of paper that has a reward on it. Her reward the last time she drew was getting a new fingernail polish. Non food rewards don’t have to be expensive, but small, even as simple as allowing yourself to enjoy a quiet nap with a good book. I like those ideas. The links below are some great ideas for your rewards on different blogs and websites. You can always add your own too.
Why should you reward yourself? Rewards give you a fun way to create habits and stay on track with your weight loss goals and any self-care goal you have. I’m still exploring this option as I stop using food as a reward system and start creating a world that does not center around eating all the time. Because I live with a chronic condition that often has me social distancing and staying at home more than the average person, I get bored. Therefore, I eat out of boredom, more than anything. That is one habit I want to break and I think a reward system will help me with this.
Here is how I am going to accomplish this:
- I’m going to make a list of small and big rewards that I would like to have.
- Then I will find a shoe box and decorate it and write the rewards on slips of paper and place them in the box. Then set the box where I see it so I am reminded why I am doing these things.
- Then I will journal about my weight loss goals and non weight goals to begin to see where I want to be in six months, in a year, and in five years.
- I will share these goals with my support system so they will remind me of my goals as I fight the chaotic, messiness of life.
Karen Clemenson is a wonderful support person for your fitness and nutritional goals as you walk or run on your journey. She knows her stuff and she is willing to learn more. On the plus side she makes you laugh while you are fighting a tough battle. If you need a great cheerleader and someone to help you create your own comprehensive wellness plan call or text 360-447-8061 to make an online appointment today.
Here are some links I would like to share with you:
- 50 Ideas for Non-Food Weight Loss Rewards by Becky Lehman for So Very Blessed
- 50 Non-Food Rewards for Fitness and Weight Loss by Megan Patrick for Spark People
- 155 Ways to Reward Yourself for Completing a Goal or Task by Develop Good Habits Staff
- Non-Food Rewards by Alliance for a Healthier Generation Staff
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Jamie Holloway is co-owner of Wellness Works NW and she is also our Research Manager and writes our Chasing Wellness with Jamie Holloway and Dear Jamie columns. Jamie is also an Independent Wellness Advocate at dōTERRA. She lives in the Portland, Oregon area. Since October 2011 she has been sharing her Journey Toward Health and Wellness with Vasculitis through her blog at JamieChasesButterflies.com. We hope you are as inspired as we are with the raw candor Jamie uses in her writing. If you would like to help support Jamie’s writing efforts please Donate now.
