Good health, toned body, fights depression, blah, blah, blah.
What can make it rewarding right now, today? What can I use to stay motivated? Those are the pertinent questions.
When I first restarted exercising, I promised myself that when I had done 10 miles, I would buy myself a new DVD. I did the mileage and then didn't get around to buying the DVD. I noticed that my motivation slacked off dramatically , so I ordered the DVD. And guess what? I started exercising again! This time the reward is set at 25 miles. I have about 7 to go.
When we make a promise to ourselves, we have to keep it. No ifs, ands, or buts. It's just like a promise to anyone else. Make it. Keep it. Move forward.
I got a blue paper plate from TOPS; a member shared that people who eat off of dark colored plates eat less. I stuck it on the fridge and wrote 25 x's on it. Each mile I walk, I put a sticker over the x. When they are all covered, I will get my reward!
I like to reward myself with exercise DVD's because it adds variety into my workouts, and helps fight the boredom that sets in when I've done the same thing too many times.
So right about keeping the promises we make to ourselves. I stumble on that too often.
ReplyDeleteI like your reward system. I've been trying to think of something I could reward myself with. I'm also thinking about how to measure my goal...whether by day, or by time, or by points, or by "distance." (I usually do aerobic dance, so I would have to figure an equivalent "distance" but it might be fun to chart a course for a destination and then celebrate when I get there.)
Keep up the good work!
I like the idea of rewarding yourself with your weight loss. Of course, I'd like to reward myself with a big piece of cake or something and THAT would be a big no-no!
ReplyDeleteI never heard that about eating on a dark colored plate. I'm in deep doo-doo because we use white plates!
Keep up the good work! My husband and I started a plan last week. Basically we are keeping track of what we eat and counting calories. We've both lost 3 lbs in one week. A drop in the bucket to what we need to lose, but it's a start!
Three pounds in a week is awesome. I got to TOPS and that amount would nearly always be top loser for the week. Slow and steady is the most effective way to lose weight. A lifestyle change, not a crash diet, has more long-term success.
ReplyDeleteTrudy: With my exercise program a mile averages 20 minutes, so you could just figure a mile for each 20 minutes you work out, or 15 minutes if you are doing something intense. That way you could reach your destination with many different kinds of exercise.
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