This morning the scale had some good news...190 lbs lost. 10 lbs till 200! But wait...26 lbs till I break into the 200's!! BUT WAIT...30 lbs. till I'm at the 2/3 of the way there mark. SHAZZAM!!! I usually play little mind games on myself as I count down to the next "little" goal i.e. I won't start the countdown to 200 lost until I'm 9 lbs. away. "I'm NOT paying $10.00 for that!!! Oh, is that ONLY $9.99? I'll take TWO." Ya' know what I mean? So food treats are off the table, and I don't want to buy clothes that I can only wear for a month or two...So how do you reward yourself now?

I just reward myself for everything!

Some of my recent rewards.

Massage: I schedule a massage after a significant milestone.

Blenko glass - I happen to love Blenko glass. There were a couple of pieces I was eyeing so I rewarded myself for a significant milestone by buying them. I am already eyeing another piece!

Flowers - I buy myself flowers just because. (I stopped at Trader Joe's last weekend and in addition to good, fresh food, I came home with a pot of hyacinths, a pot of tulips, and a bunch of sunflowers).

Food - I don't really use food as a reward, BUT, when I eat out I treat myself to delicious, nutritious, real food instead of crap whenever possible. The benefit is lots of good leftovers. I also allow myself to treat myself to good, fresh vegetables, tomatoes, etc. I am looking forward to visiting the local farmers market as the weather improves and all the spring veggies start coming in.

First of all, congratulations! What a flurry of goodness you have coming your way!

I guess I never rewarded myself for reaching the mini goals. Meeting them was reward enough. I mentally acknowledged them, probably posted it online and moved on. Even reaching my final goal weight was anticlimactic.....I really don't even remember when it happened (the date on my ticker is my best guess).

I did, of course, reward my self with new clothes, boots, and even a saddle when I settled into my new size, but these were necessities. My dozens of NSVs served as rewards as well. But I do like the above suggestion of a massage! And I keep saying I'm going to reward myself with a new truck but no one ever "rewards" me with the required $$$$

@@Kindle, from what you have posted about your day-to-day job, I would encourage you to get a regular massage just because you deserve it.

By the way, my ultimate reward will be a trip to Hawaii to learn to surf. I have NO IDEA how I am going to pay for it, but since I won my last trip to Hawaii, I have faith that it is going to happen somehow.

@@Kindle, from what you have posted about your day-to-day job, I would encourage you to get a regular massage just because you deserve it.By the way, my ultimate reward will be a trip to Hawaii to learn to surf. I have NO IDEA how I am going to pay for it, but since I won my last trip to Hawaii, I have faith that it is going to happen somehow.

Yeah, I know. A friend actually treated me to a 90 minute massage a couple weeks ago. She kidnapped me and drove me there herself. The masseur was quite appalled and advised me to "get some more work done ASAP" . I have two more gift certificates for massages that clients have given me but just can't seem to find the time. Guess that's a goal I should work on!

Your Hawaii reward sounds heavenly. Can I come? I don't even need to surf.... I'd just be happy to lay in the sand and make Vitamin D all day.

@@Kindle, from what you have posted about your day-to-day job, I would encourage you to get a regular massage just because you deserve it.By the way, my ultimate reward will be a trip to Hawaii to learn to surf. I have NO IDEA how I am going to pay for it, but since I won my last trip to Hawaii, I have faith that it is going to happen somehow.

Yeah, I know. A friend actually treated me to a 90 minute massage a couple weeks ago. She kidnapped me and drove me there herself. The masseur was quite appalled and advised me to "get some more work done ASAP" . I have two more gift certificates for massages that clients have given me but just can't seem to find the time. Guess that's a goal I should work on!

Your Hawaii reward sounds heavenly. Can I come? I don't even need to surf.... I'd just be happy to lay in the sand and make Vitamin D all day.

Of course you can come!

I personally think regular massages should be covered by insurance as a wellness benefit.

I don't have much $$ to reward myself but if I meet the Easter challenge I am going to get my nails done it's only $15 but I like it. I like the idea of small goals and to reward myself as I go along. Part of my journey is to be able to put myself first when it comes to my health and fitness so I'm going to be thinking of some non-food rewards.

I used to get massages all the time. Back in my 20's I had a roommate who was a massage therapist and we traded them for partial rent. Even when we weren't roommates anymore I still made it a regular thing. Then life got crazy and priorities changed. Ironically, now that I need it most, both mentally and physically I'm not making the time. But I'm gonna try.....You've inspired me @@Inner Surfer Girl!

Glad to be of service!

@@David Oso ... great thread topic.

For me, treats come in two forms: Stuff and experiences.

Massages sound wonderful. Like @@Kindle I need them, but had forgotten how good they are for me. Thanks for the nudge, @@Inner Surfer Girl .

Facials would be a great reward for me -- not sure why I haven't recognized that before. I don't have anyone to do them now, but this thread inspires me to find someone!

Likewise, pedicures are a treat. Again, not sure why I don't do that more often. Hmmm.

Long, hot baths are a weekly treat. I have a great jacuzzi tub and can now easily get into and out of it. That's one thing I missed so much doing when I was so heavy pre-op.

Clothes in smaller sizes (most of them bought at a high-end resale boutique) were my best rewards when I was losing. But I'm at maintenance now and have a whole new wardrobe, and the thrill of buying new clothes has waned. But I keep a list of wardrobe items I'm still missing. When I find those items at great value (finding "deals" is part of my shopping fun) I pounce. Even though those purchases aren't scheduled or tied to weight changes they still feel like rewards.

I also collect and enjoy drinking fine wines / liquors (especially single malt scotch) and enjoy discovering new ones in liquor/wine shops.

Our biggest reward (really a necessity!) is long cruises. If we could, we'd spend half the year on nice cruise ships.

But the truth is that the greatest joy comes from appreciating all the stuff we already have and the adventures we've already had and could create more of daily if we just made a little effort.

Gratitude can lead us to all the treats and rewards we will ever need. (Feeling very grateful this morning.)

I agree with the idea of experiences as rewards.

I am so looking forward to DOING so many things that I have never done or haven't been able to do for a long time: travel, road trips, antiquing, concerts, plays, sporting events, etc., etc.

We have a local summer stock theatre. When I moved here I bought a seasons pass but had such a difficult time with parking, bathrooms, seating, etc., even with the handicap accessible options that I haven't been regularly since. I did go to one play last summer after surgery. I may get a season's pass this summer again!

There is a newly renovated theatre in a nearby town that is a small concert venue. I went to a concert there before Christmas and actually fit in the seats! I plan to try to go to more concerts.

Even going to movies and sitting in a regular movie theatre became too much. As a movie buff I really have missed out on just going to the movies. I will do that MUCH more this year and hope to go to a film festival in a nearby town this year.

Eventually, I want to go to Telluride, Sundance, or even Cannes!