Weight loss goal rewards: What should they look like?

January 10. 2022

Motivation is the key to any kind of success, especially when trying to lose weight. When you’re trying to get rid of a few extra pounds, you require great mental strength to overcome different temptations, stress, and fear of failure. Achieving visual results takes more time than you thought, so you may start to lose hope and feel discouraged. That may lead to diving into your favorite foods and skipping your daily physical activity. We are here to help you stay focused and motivated on your weight loss journey. Get your weight loss diary, and let’s get started! If you’re still not keeping this kind of diary, what are you waiting for?

So, when you start your weight loss program (such as intermittent fasting, a 16-week diet plan, DASH diet, etc.), you are very enthusiastic and inspired, but the program gets boring in a blink of an eye. Thankfully, you can spice it up by adding a reward system. We’ll get more into that, but before that, we have to mention one more important step of your weight loss journey. And it is setting goals – not just one primary goal, but weekly or monthly goals. That is another excellent way to keep yourself motivated. When you have minor and achievable goals set, you can think about rewards for achieving those weight loss goals you set for yourself. This could be more beneficial to you in the long run.

And no, these rewards are not supposed to involve food. I know we all fantasize about a slice of pizza or a glazed donut once the scale shows a pound or two less. But this type of rewarding can be a slippery slope because once you “collect” a reward like that, it’s harder to keep on with the program. Or you might end up not continuing with it at all, and that is not what you want for sure. It’s true – certain food would make an immediate increase in blood sugar level, you’d feel happier, more energized, but you might also start to wonder: Why am I doing this to myself – struggling and avoiding the food that makes me happy. But, it would be best if you kept in mind that the happiness stage is short-term, so you’ll end up regretting taking it, and that’s why food should not be one of your weight loss goal rewards.
The list of desirable rewards is virtually endless, but we present 14 goals to get you started and inspired!

Relaxing massage

Book a massage after you hit your milestone; is there a better way for your body to recover after a hard day of work or a hard workout than a relaxing massage? It helps prevent injuries, allows you to recover faster, and relaxes your mind as well.

Spa facial at home

Your skin can suffer because of exercise sessions and everyday stress. This can be a perfect way to revive it and have a relaxing night in the comfort of your own home.

Personal training session

Hiring a personal trainer can be very expensive, but you can reward yourself by hiring one for a single session. You can learn new exercises, and it can simply boost your motivation. A personal trainer can see your current progress and advise how to reach your next goal.

New workout clothes

When shedding down pounds, you change in size. But not only that. The feeling of wearing brand new workout clothes for the first time is priceless! And if you’re on a budget, don’t worry; there are workout clothes available at any price.

Beauty treat

It might seem unnecessary, but when you think about it, you never make time for it. So this can be a perfect reason to make time for a pedicure, a manicure, a new haircut, or just a little glow-up.

Day trip

It can be pretty expensive to get away for a whole weekend, but you can always go for a hike, visit a place near your town, have a healthy picnic in nature, or be a tourist in your own town!

Cooking class

Investing in cooking class means investing in your meal plan for weight loss. Besides a new recipe, you get to learn new techniques.

New kitchen gadget

Making cooking fun makes it easier to stick to your diet so that you can reach for some interesting kitchen tools such as a slow cooker or a high-speed blender.

Buy a new cookbook

After learning new skills and getting new kitchen gadgets, an obvious next step is to treat yourself with a book full of new recipes and ideas so you can use those skills in practice.

Get a new journal

Making all kinds of lists and writing down tasks and goals is so satisfying! And, you can always find something new to plan out. If you’re not keeping a budget journal, it can be your next one. That way, you can save money for some of the more expensive rewards for weight loss goals listed here.

Take an art class

Express yourself through art – You might end up finding a hidden talent!

Do a puzzle

Dividing a special time for a puzzle is an excellent gift for your mental health. It is so relaxing, and it includes engaging a different part of your brain!

Go see a movie

Comedy to increase dopamine, action movies to pump you up, romantic-comedy to relax you – the list is endless! Buy a ticket, get ready, and enjoy a movie at the cinema!

Watch a show on Netflix

Weight loss rewards for achieving a set goal don’t always cost money. Cancel your plans for a day, get cozy on your couch, put your phone away, and enjoy your favorite show.

Outcome goals and process goals for weight loss

Now back to goals. Weight loss goals can be divided into outcome goals and process goals. Outcome goals are the ones we already mentioned; they are the target you’re working towards. But process goals are something different; they are a path to achieve them. They are more important than outcome goals because they change your daily habits into behaviors that result in weight loss.

Both outcome and process goals need to be smart – specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-sensitive. It is not an easy task, so feel free to contact our weight loss clinic, and we’ll be happy to help you set your goals!

Final thoughts

The goal of losing weight should not just be physical appearance. Losing weight has an enormously positive effect on your overall health. Shedding a few pounds also affects the increase of self-esteem, better mood, an increase of energy, and lower stress levels.

The rewards you give to yourself when reaching a particular goal (such as weight loss) make your journey a lot more interesting. You can get to know a new side of yourself, develop a new habit, and make some new friends. Eventually, you’ll see that all the sacrifice you’re making to lose weight is nothing compared to the feeling that overwhelms you.

Author

Nurse Walton

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Chanay received her Practical Nurse licensure and went to work in clinical specialties such as Home Health, Assisted Living, Long-Term Care and Dialysis Centers. Through this work, she realized the importance of diet, nutrition and weight loss among her patients. This led her to open A Better Weigh, Inc. Medical Weight Loss Center in 2009.