rjm1982

What do you guys do, plan to do, or have done as rewards for your weight loss.

I used to do the counterproductive "splurge dinners" ... but you know... that's kinda dumb.

My big goals are easy...

Im at 385 now. At 300 ... or maybe 275 ... I'm getting a road bike. I think one from republic bikes - i know they aren't the norm around here, but i've already ridden one at 385 and it was sturdy (i just dont wanna put those poor wheels through it). Plus they're customizable and kinda hipster - and the read has a flip-flop hub to turn it into a fixie... I might just go with a more traditional bike, but I like these bikes too... we'll see.

Also... my lovely (currently pregnant) wife has made me another offer I cant refuse... if I get down to 250, she'll give me the best present of all - another child. (talk about motivation... and this is a big deal because this pregnancy has been hell on her)

Actualy - my biggest reward is going to be living longer and being around for my family as long as possible and not checking out at 50 years old...

What are you guy's rewards for losing, though... or is losing reward enough on it's own?

DEK

I didn't do rewards. I felt the weight loss was reward enough. Well, that and the compliments I've been getting on the new me.

CraigB

Some people view new articles of clothing as rewards. I viewed them as a necessary, if unwelcome, expense. Still, they do tend to bolster the ego, which feels nice.

The one major reward I promised myself was a new road bike when I broke 200. I did it, though economic circumstances delayed the actual purchase for a few months (and downsized the budget as well).

Askel

Having maintained my weight loss for a couple of years, I can say that the weight loss needs to be it's own reward. You can only bribe yourself so much to make it stick.

And let me tell you, it's totally worth it.

That said, in the process of losing weight- I did not hold back at all when it came to buying the skis, bicycles, clothing, fancy food, etc. that helped me along the way. And I'd do it again if I had to. I'd rather be in debt up to my eyeballs rather than 300+ lbs again.

Judi

I'm a woman, so new clothes are definitely my reward.

Also, when I get to my goal weight I am going to reward myself with a tattoo. I have a giant scar on my leg that I want to cover with something pretty.

psalm

The plan is when I've lost 100 pounds, the reward will be a CAAD10 Rival! 47 pounds to go, now let's just see if I have the $ when the time comes.

CraigB

Start saving now. Sock it away and don't touch it.

jethro56 

I went with 1/2 s. I started out with a goal to lose 200 lbs. When I lost 100 lbs I could reward myself with something. Then 50 lbs more. then 25 and so forth. Funny thing happened. I no longer cared about the rewards. The weightloss became it's own reward.

goldfinch

My goal weight is 110 by year end, one year of losing weight. I planned to buy a new bike when I reached my goal. I am not quite there and I bought the bike anyway. Actually, my first goal was 115 but I lowered it. When I hit 115.7 I bought the bike. I was going to wait but Trek was no longer going to make the Madone 4.7 in my size and there were only three left at the factory so I thought I'd better bite.

Oddly, my weight is up a couple of pounds today. I hope that it is a statistical error because I am not giving up the bike!

Neil_B

My reward was simple. I wanted to learn to ride a bike. So after losing 125 pounds I began looking. And bought one at the first store I visited. :-)

Neil_B

Not really. It's not a matter of depriving yourself of food, it's learning to eat more responsibly. Food isn't the enemy, it's your attitude towards it that needs to be changed. Nothing wrong with something out of the norm from time to time.

psalm

This part I'm doing.

This part, I'm not doing so well on.

Biggziff

pizza and beer

Haff

When I get below 250 I plan to do two things.
1: go horseback riding. I've never done it, and just about every stable around here has a firm no fatties policy (250 limit)
2: Do a zip-line course. Up in the mountains there are a couple zip-line courses that have a 250lb limit. They look like a ton of fun, so I will do those.

Basically, the option to do the things I cant do now is the reward.

BigUgly

Like otheres, the results of the weight loss may be reward enough. No knee pain, no back pain, not getting winded walking up steps, easier climbing hils on the bike, all the compliments, etc. That being said in the back of my mind when I get to my goal weight under 200 I am thinking a Salsa Spearfish if it fits in the budget.

Mithrandir

When I first started losing weight, I used to do rewards every 10 pounds. Here's the problem.

I would reward myself with food I used to eat before switching to healthier foods. Go to Arbys, etc. But the "rewards" were never as good as I remembered them. When my palette adjusted to healthier foods, the processed crap I used to eat started to literally taste bad. After every reward I was like "ugh... that was a reward?!!". So after 50 pounds I just stopped, and no longer reward myself.

In general I recommend against it now. It doesn't really serve a purpose. The real rewards are drilling holes in your belt, being able to fit into smaller clothes, being able to run up stairs, walking miles without feeling like you're dying, being able to scratch your back without stretching, being able to cycle further and faster...

The real reward is feeling better.

Mithrandir

Indeed. When I hit 50 and gave up on the "food rewards", I thought to myself "why don't I reward myself with exercise gear instead?". However, I soon realised that's stupid. If buying some exercise gear is going to make you more inspired to exercise, why wait? Buy it immediately, get out there and get going. You'll reach the goals faster, and the goal itself is now the reward.

Rona

I'm gonna have to buy all new clothes if I lose my target weight amount, calling it a reward or not. Might as well call it a reward

Duckles McGee

This is mine. When I get to 199, I am going to look for a higher-end roadbike or possibly a TT bike as I have started to train for one next year.

Duckles McGee

I also realized that I could no longer "stomach" the "processed crap" and would literally feel ill afterward. That and volume changes. I can remember going to a fast food restaurant and ordering a meal AND an extra sandwich. No way I can stomach that much any more.

LarryMelman

The idea of a "reward" is counter to the thinking you need to have, which is that you have made a permanent change to your lifestyle. Rewarding with food would seem to be especially wrong.

Lose the idea that you have a "goal". Every goal weight I've ever aimed for, only lasted a very short time. Holding your goal weight is really much, much harder... and requires permanent change.

jr59

I think your wife has the best reward in mind for you!

Seattle Forrest

Bike goodies. After losing a lot of weight, which involved a lot of hungriness, I bought myself a carbon fiber road bike. And I loved it so much I really didn't have time to eat for a while after that... Also, as I kept shedding pounds, the real reward was that it would take less effort to climb.

Hmmmm. I'd stay at 251 lbs if I were in your shoes.

Neil_B

I thought "hipster" was a term of contempt. Everyone who fits the description of a hipster denies they are one.

Duckles McGee

I don't call mine a "goal", so much as I call it a "hurdle." You really have to do what works for you. I am goal oriented. If I do not set some sort focal point, I found in the past that it was easier to get discouraged on the way and I fell out of the "lifestyle" change, especially when the stress of work/ school settled in.