It's time to lose weight - help me brainstorm "rewards" along the way?

[Anonymous]

I have to lose 60 pounds. I am 192 and 5'3". I've lost and gained through most of my adult life (I have serious food "issues") but I feel like it's now or never for me. I'm 38 with two sweet little boys watching me only partially live life because of my food issues and weight problems.

So! I have a food plan made (very healthy, mostly fruits and veggies and beans) that I believe will keep me from being too hungry. I have my big water bottle and stocked up on my favorite trashy "grape" flavored Crystal Light. I am using a cognitive behavioral journal to help me start to think about food in a more healthy way.

One thing I really need are some real rewards along the way. So far I've come up with two that are actually things I want and won't treat myself to (I'm a tad frugal): the iTunes subscription to The Walking Dead (we live overseas with the Foreign Service so that's the only way I can see them until they come out on Netflix in a decade or so) at 10 pounds lost and a subscription to a video-game site like Shockwave so I can play some fun time-wasters at night after the kids are in bed and my food is prepped for the next day at 20 pounds lost.

Can you help me brainstorm other ideas? I'm posted overseas right now so things I can do/buy online are especially great, though here in Panama we can find most activities that we can in DC. Thank you in advance for any help/support you can share!

[Anonymous]

You might consider the on-line version of Weight Watchers, for the structure.

How about trashy magazines?

Also, I think its really important when you remove something from your life, like your previous diet, that you add something as well. Take up a new hobby or an exercise regimen (walking everyday would be great) or some kind of volunteer effort.

Good luck. You have a great attitude.

[Anonymous]

At one of my weight goals I bought a nice piece of costume jewelry. Also every two sizes, I let myself get two new outfits.

[Anonymous]

One of my favorite weight rewards is a nice dinner out. It sounds weird but it totally works for. Say seasons 52, or a fancy place with small plates or Chopp'd which is too expensive for me for an everyday lunch, but when I'm watching what I eat, it allows me to eat healthy and way something I normally wouldn't.

[Anonymous]

What about a nice fitness item? For example, when you hit the halfway point, you get a Nike Fit Band or Garmin Forerunner or something like that? Or new walking shoes? etc.

Also, would you mind describing your journal that you're going to use? I'm in the same boat you're in. I think something like that could help me.

[Anonymous]

For me it's been clothes. I don't go overboard since I hope not to have the clothes too long before dropping to the next size but I do find that well fitting clothes are a motivator. I've lost 28 lbs and 2 sizes and it's fun just to try on clothes that are 10s rather than 14s. Plus I really can't wear size 14 pants anymore so I need the clothes for work.

Good luck. I still have another 10-15 to go and it's slow but steady. Be patient!!

[Anonymous]

When I was losing weight, I would get a massage at my favorite spa as a reward for every 25 pounds that I lost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about a nice fitness item? For example, when you hit the halfway point, you get a Nike Fit Band or Garmin Forerunner or something like that? Or new walking shoes? etc.

Also, would you mind describing your journal that you're going to use? I'm in the same boat you're in. I think something like that could help me.

OP here, and thank you for your suggestions!

I'm using the Beck Diet Solution Workbook. I've had it for a while and I have put off using it, but it makes a whole lot of sense for me. I've done step 1 today: written down my reasons for wanting to lose weight (it took me 3 hours to finish, jk! ) and I've set my iPhone to remind me to read it 3 times a day (right before my temptation times).

http://www.amazon.com/Beck-Diet-Solution-Weight-Workbook/dp/0848731913/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354495651&sr=8-1&keywords=beck+diet+solution+workbook

Good luck to you!

[Anonymous]

OP here, thank you all for your suggestions and encouragement. I don't know why it's so hard to just make myself understand 100% that if I stick to the food plan I ALWAYS LOSE WEIGHT. I still feel like: oh, this can never happen. I'll never get there. Even though all evidence is to the contrary. Right now I just need to make it one day on plan, and then one week. That will help me immensely to realize I can do it.

My husband stepped up today: for every week that I hit my goal of losing 1.5 pounds, he'll watch one Dave Ramsey class with me (there are 13 - we have Financial Peace University but he hasn't wanted to be bothered with it). I'm excited about that!

Thanks again everyone!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I was losing weight, I would get a massage at my favorite spa as a reward for every 25 pounds that I lost.

Exactly what I was going to suggest, but I would need much more frequent rewards!

[Anonymous]

For me competition has worked more than rewards. For instance, friendly competition with a co-worker, friend, or neighbor who is looking to lose weight as well. Do weekly weigh-ins togerher (also a motivator to have someone else watching your percentage lost each week). Also, use them as a workout buddy if you can. At work we did a friendly wager of $2 in the pool per pound gained, $1 for no weight gain, and nothing for weight loss. We tracked progress for 10 weeks and the pool went to the person who lost the highest percentage.

Also, signing up for run/walks or obstacle course/mud races have helped motivate me during workout time. Sign up for a short run/walk race a few months aways and start walking today. Walk for 30 minutes - no matter how far you go just walk for 30 minutes. You will see a huge improvement over your pace and distance in a short amount of time.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP here, and thank you again! PP, I totally forgot that our Embassy traditionally has a "biggest loser" competition starting in January. If they do it this year, that may be a HUGE help for me. I'll email them to ask. I'm also trying to get some friends involved and have 2 who are interested in joining me so that will also help. I wish I had one person who was as gung-ho as I am right now, but I'll have to support myself at least some of the time, so I'm practicing that.

I've weighed in (194, ouch), ready my "Reasons to Lose Weight" twice today and will keep up that habit several times daily. I've eaten my oatmeal breakfast and salad lunch and drank about 60 ounces and peed 427 times, so I'm right on track.

Thanks again everyone.

[Anonymous]

Here are some suggestions:
Massage
Facial
manicure/pedicure
new CD on itunes
trip to the movies

Also, keep an eye out for sales at your favorite stores. As I try and lose weight, I tend to wear Old Navy jeans. So I buy smaller sizes when they're on sale. That way I have 1-2 pairs of jeans that fit.

[Anonymous]

Have you gotten moving? Just an hour of walking will make a really big difference in helping you lose fat and not muscle. I highly recommend weight lifting: real weight, not those 5 lb dumbells in Zumba class. Chronic cardio is not your friend.

I would also highly recommend increasing your protein and fat and knocking your carbs down to about 50 g a day. It will make a big difference. Avoid wheat and processed carbs: you are making a lifestyle change if its going to work and stay that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you gotten moving? Just an hour of walking will make a really big difference in helping you lose fat and not muscle. I highly recommend weight lifting: real weight, not those 5 lb dumbells in Zumba class. Chronic cardio is not your friend.

I would also highly recommend increasing your protein and fat and knocking your carbs down to about 50 g a day. It will make a big difference. Avoid wheat and processed carbs: you are making a lifestyle change if its going to work and stay that way.

Hi PP, OP here.

We try to eat a mostly vegan diet, so my daily menu looks something like this:

Breakfast: steel-cut oatmeal, frozen blueberries, dried strawberries, 1 tbsp peanut butter
Lunch: romaine with 1/2 cup beans, 15 almonds, trader joe's goddess dressing (2 tbsp)
Snack: 1 cup red peppers, 1 cup carrots, 1 cup broccoli, 1 tbsp goddess dressing for dipping (I would drink that stuff if I could!)
Dinner with kids: can of soup, 4 oz sweet potato
Munch after kids in bed: romaine with 1 tsp olive oil, balsamic vinegar, tomato plus an apple on the side. Freebie is one granola bar whenever I'm the most hungry throughout the day.

So while I can't bulk up on too much protein, I try to keep carbs low and my fiber high to keep me full. I worked hard to create a daily menu that would 1) keep me from being too hungry, 2) eat the foods I feed my kids because they're powerful and healthy, and 3) be how I'd want to be eating even if I was "thin." When I lose the weight, I'll add in more calories in the form of more beans, more nuts, chia seeds, flax oil, etc., but for now I'm pleased to have made a menu that still works in a lot of "power" foods like oatmeal, sweet potato, broccoli, blueberries, olive oil, etc. but still allows me to lose weight. At least it did last time I dieted; I'm only on Day 1 right now of this diet, but I have faith in myself that I can am in a good place to make my goals reality.

Thank you again, everyone! If you don't mind, I'll come back and update after my first week's weigh-in. I will take support wherever I can find it right now!!