I am curious what others have been doing to reward themselves for goals met. I have not as of yet been banded however I have made some serious changes to my diet in the past 6 months. I have dropped whites from my diet (white bread, rice pasts). I have started to drink non fat milk and started eating my meals from a smaller plate.

A few months ago the local department store started putting out their winter ball gowns. I found myself wandering the isles and window shopping. I decided a month ago to start to get my reward ready for when I reached my finial goal. Every time I get a craving for something I take the amount of money it would cost and put it in a savings account my hubby opened. We have no debit card for it or checks and we do not touch it. Every week I take the money out of the “junk jar” and deposit it in the bank. I am saving for a trip to New York to go and see Phantom with my hubby in the prettiest evening gown I can find. I am thinking two years to complete my goal and saving here and there during that time I will have a wonderful reward for my effort… besides being healthy. Every time I get depressed or feel like I am going to slide I take out the little scrap book I made of the hotel suite I want, the place we want to go for dinner and a host of lovely dresses and shoes and it actually helps.

My little present along with the encouragement of my kids and husband have helped me really get ready for what is to come. My daughter is 202 and 5 foot 9 and wants too loose and tone so she can play sports her Senior year. She has agreed to be my work out buddy and it has been great as a motivator as well. We go and ride the sit down bikes for 30 minuets then meet my husband and two younger boys in the pool (at the YMCA) and swim for 45. 20 minuets of laps, 10 of treading water and the rest of “no foot down” play in the deep end.

I reward myself with clothing and shoes. I treat myself to something new every week!

Yes - Clothes! I save up from my paycheck and when I go to the States in 2 weeks I am hitting up all the shops I miss so much!

Other ways: DVD's and handbags!

I set a big goal of getting down to 150lbs before I was banded, but I dont think about that goal very often. I set small goals so I can reach them more often. I used to set weight goals of 15 or 20lbs. I have recently decided to start setting goals and rewards of clothes instead. My new goals are to buy a pair of jeans one size smaller and my goal is to get into them. When I do then I buy the next size down and have a new goal. These are also rewards because I love buying new clothes, especially smaller ones. I wore a tight 26 when banded and now where a size 20. I have not come as far as I would have liked but I will get there. I just started the jean goal process and cant wait to get into an 18, my first pair of jeans from a regular store that doesnt have a plus size dept.

I've lost 99 lbs so far and haven't been able to reward myself due to finances. However, when I reach goal weight (30 lbs away), I would like a Dooney & Bourke purse and a couple of tattoos