I'm feeling a little silly. Also I'm stalling. I guess I'll put up a few thoughts about healthy rewards.
Chapter 5: Rewards For Valor In The Face Of Craving.
Yesterday was easy-peasy lemon-squeezie. Really, I didn't have to work too hard to avoid unhealthy eating. So there's not too much on my mind today, but I have a few questions. What is a healthy reward? Clearly, food is out. I'm not going to celebrate a successful eating day by snarfing down half a cheesecake, or a giant cheeseburger. So what I'm looking for is two kinds of rewards... one that is fairly immediate and inexpensive, and one that is more long term, associated with the completion of a specific goal.
Thought number 1: music. This is not entirely my thought, half belongs to Jess. She suggested to me music as a way to get out of my dark, scary head-neighborhood at night, and I thought to combine that with an instant reward. A new song from itunes! Only 99 cents! Last night I realized that I no longer had Lazy Eye by Silversun Pickups, and I had been a good boy, so I bought it. The headphones went on, and guess what? The neighborhood brightened considerably, and the road to sleep was paved smoothly. So, that's one good idea to be marked down in the Instant Reward column. Any thoughts on others?
Thought number 2: delayed rewards upon completion of a goal. There are things that I would like to do, or have. I'm playing with the idea of linking these things to specific goals, but would like some input on whether or not you think that is healthy behavior. I know from long experience that just because something seems reasonable to me at the time, that doesn't mean it makes any real sense at all... I find that with important decisions, I need to run them by people that I trust. Here's an example:
I am going to get more tattoo work. I am a tattoo guy. I love body art, and I love expressing things that are important to me in that way, and having them permanently displayed on my skin. I am not asking whether or not I should get more tattoos; that's a done deal. What I'm asking is this: do you think it's a good idea to attach it to a goal weight? Like this, "When I get to 275 pounds, I'm going to get the bracelet and elbow piece done."
Or, "After 15 more pounds, I'm going to buy myself a massage."
Also, if we decide together that long-term rewards linked to goals are in fact a good idea, I'd love some thoughts that don't involve a lot of material purchases. I don't want to buy a lot of new stuff in 2010. Unless you count body art as stuff.
That's what I'm thinking about today. I welcome and appreciate any input you might have.
May your road be smooth today, my friends. Peace and love to you.
Steve "Big Daddy" Hodgson
February the fifth, 2010
296 pounds
I like the reward system, It will make you happy and give you something additional to work for.
ReplyDeleteI'll put some thought into the immediate rewards.
When I was reading, I thought about tattoos as well.
Is it possible to get portions of the tattoo done at different times? (Since I have untainted skin, I don't know about these things.) So, you could decide on the design, break it done into parts, and when you meet the milestones, you get a portion done.
Just a thought.
Thanks, Ashley! Yes, I'm having a very talented artist-friend design two of the pieces right now. I like the idea of breaking it into smaller goal rewards. No rush, Jess. I have a ways to go!
ReplyDeleteRewards are essential. I would buy myself iTunes, a trip to goodwill, fancy soap or stinky loations/candles for every 5 or 10 lbs. Shoes and jewelry were popular reward items in WW because they would still fit after the weigh change. The tattoo plan is a good idea! OOOh, how about a mani/pedi?
ReplyDeleteI concur with Kim... rewards are definitely key. Music is a fantastic reward. As are massages and tattoos. Keep up the great work! love you!
ReplyDeleteThis is something I think about a lot too on my "journey" as they say. I too don't want to collect more stuff. I like treating myself to good (or bad) magazines, movies, good smelling home/body products. I also go for the lip stuff but I'm doubting a new sparkly lipgloss would be your treat, but maybe? Nothing beats new undies and sox too. I'm all for the tattoos as well. In my head I'll be expanding my body art when back to a healthy place. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI'm noticing that you are melting away at 2 pounds a day. good deal, but a word of warning......loose the weight slowly. You do have to eat to give your body fuel to rev up the metabolism. Obese people can starve to death and still remain fat. The extra weight doesn't have the nutrients the body needs, just stored energy. Eat lots and lots of veggies. Fruit has too many carbs. Fiberous veggies fill you up and you feel full longer. Of course......lettuce sucks and celery is only good with a heaping amount of peanut butter, which is good protein but way to much fat. Only 1TBS per day is all the peanut butter reward can be and still remain in the healthy side of things.
ReplyDeleteI miss you. Hang in there.
Thanks, Kelly... I eat between 1500 and 2000 calories per day, mostly lean proteins, with a lot of veg and some carbs in there too. And fat from avocados and nuts. I work out four times per week. Sometimes the weight blazes off, sometimes it slows down. This is a fast period. Miss you too, doll.
ReplyDelete