Rewards

I didnt give up on my goal. Actually, I am quite proud of myself. I have gone to the gym twice so far for an hour each and my body is SORE. I also have it worked out with a friend that we are going to do a workout swap, in which I am going to watch her kids while she works out one day, and then another day, she will watch my kids for me. We are hoping to add in one more lady so that we each have two days a week that we will for sure work out, and then if we work out on Saturdays when our husbands are home, that will be a good three days every week. I am good with that at least for now. I am hoping that eventually I will get to 4 or 5 times a week.

I am also still working on the fine details of my goals, being that we have been a little busy here in the ol' homestead. However, I have decided that although my overall goal is 40 pounds, I am going to make some mini goals to reach it. First off, eating better. I know I need to define that better, but It includes cutting out sweets and sadly, I think I am going to have to cut out breads. (I love bread!!) This past week, I have been making myself some green smoothies, that include berries, spinach and flax seed. I have been using regular yogurt, but tomorrow I plan on going and getting greek yogurt and trying that out. (Any other suggestions on what I should include in them?)

Another mini goal that I am setting is that I am going to work out 3 times a week as mentioned earlier. It is going to be hard, but I know that I can do it. Yesterday, my mind kept telling me, "No dont go, you'll be fine, and you will have more time to spend with D." But I didnn't listen to the temptation. I went and am very proud of myself.

I also am going to focus on losing 5 pounds right now. I know that if I can succeed in losing 5, then I will feel a sense of accomplishment and want to do more! Although exercising and eating better provides its own form of reward, I was thinking that I should have some sort of reward for myself for completing each goal. I remember when I was in elementary, I put myself on a diet. (I really wish I had the kind of discipline that I had back then now.) I made myself work out every day after school, I ate healthy, and I was really proud of myself for doing it. Part of my reward for myself, and I have heard this several times throughout my life, is that I gave myself one day a week to have a treat. It was always Saturdays, but it gave me something to look forward to. Instead of feeling like I was working out and getting no pleasure, I allowed myself one day to forget about dieting and splurge in what I loved, sweets! It really did help and I stuck with it, and lost weight. Not as much as I wanted or should have, but I did it. And I am going to do it again. I think that reward system sounds good.

I have also read about other rewards that actually are better for you then splurging in sweets. My favorite is that when you meet your goal, you get to buy yourself something. I have already discussed this with D, and we agree that when I have met my overall goal, I am going to go out and buy myself a whole new wardrobe! This gets me excited and pumped to lose weight.

Another thing that I have done to "motivate" myself to work out may sound a bit silly, but so far it is working. When I got home from the gym the other night, I had my husband take a "before" picture me. I wanted it to be just a sports bra and boxers so that I could see the changes I am going to make. Then I went to my computer and put said pictures on my screen saver, as well as motivation sayings and quotes about why I want to get fit. Go here for some or to make your own. Now every time I turn on my computer, (which is a lot) I either see the body I dont want to have any more, or reasons for me to keep it up. It has worked so far.

What are your rewards that you give to yourself when you accomplish your goals?