One of the problems I run into with my clients who are trying to lose weight is the concept of rewards. "I deserve a treat because I...went to bootcamp today...had to stay late at work...spent the day out with my kids...cleaned out the garage...sat in a traffic jam..." You name it, no matter what our job or situation, we often feel that life is hard and we deserve a treat for simply living through it. For some of us, it might be that glass or two of wine. For others, a cheeseburger. Or the dreaded cookie, my nemesis.
We have discussed the possibility of instituting a cheat day or just a cheat meal into your week. If you restrict your reward to once a week, or once a month, then I think you really do deserve it! But if you find an reason to reward yourself with a treat that is not doing your waistline any favors on a daily basis, you are basically shooting yourself in the foot. And I can tell you from personal experience, shooting yourself in the foot can get really annoying and embarrassing and frustrating. After all, you are working out hard, measuring your portions, eating healthy, balanced meals, and then throwing all that away for a reward that only satisfies momentarily.
What is the answer???
Well, one option is rewarding yourself with a healthy, Zone balanced treat like the Chocolate Cheesecake recipe I posted yesterday. This is at once a treat, but also a 2 block snack that can fit into your diet and still allow you to lose weight. It has been working wonderfully for me this week, but mostly because I am sticking with one single slice and not embellishing my snack with any additions. I strongly recommend pre-measured portions with all snacks, as even a healthy choice like baby carrots or roasted cashews can quickly get out of hand when unmeasured.
Another possibility is that you begin to consider OTHER kinds of rewards. We have also discussed this idea before in my post about the senses. A fantastic book that you look forward to reading each day is a great reward. A warm, scented bath or an aromatherapy massage. A foot rub from your husband while you watch another British mystery on television. These are nice little rewards.
But you can also motivate yourself to stick with your healthy eating plan by dangling a larger reward in the more distant future. How about offering yourself a mani/pedi after you lose those first ten pounds? Or a full day at the spa after you meet your goal weight? A weekend at the beach in your brand new bikini would be a fitting prize as well.
Come up with a reward that is truly meaningful to you. And then go ahead an earn it while avoiding those little daily stumbling blocks. String together a full week of days with no cheating. Then go for a month! Pretty soon you will be strolling down the beach, admiring your six-pack of ab's instead of carrying your 6-pack in a cooler!
We have discussed the possibility of instituting a cheat day or just a cheat meal into your week. If you restrict your reward to once a week, or once a month, then I think you really do deserve it! But if you find an reason to reward yourself with a treat that is not doing your waistline any favors on a daily basis, you are basically shooting yourself in the foot. And I can tell you from personal experience, shooting yourself in the foot can get really annoying and embarrassing and frustrating. After all, you are working out hard, measuring your portions, eating healthy, balanced meals, and then throwing all that away for a reward that only satisfies momentarily.
What is the answer???
Well, one option is rewarding yourself with a healthy, Zone balanced treat like the Chocolate Cheesecake recipe I posted yesterday. This is at once a treat, but also a 2 block snack that can fit into your diet and still allow you to lose weight. It has been working wonderfully for me this week, but mostly because I am sticking with one single slice and not embellishing my snack with any additions. I strongly recommend pre-measured portions with all snacks, as even a healthy choice like baby carrots or roasted cashews can quickly get out of hand when unmeasured.
Another possibility is that you begin to consider OTHER kinds of rewards. We have also discussed this idea before in my post about the senses. A fantastic book that you look forward to reading each day is a great reward. A warm, scented bath or an aromatherapy massage. A foot rub from your husband while you watch another British mystery on television. These are nice little rewards.
But you can also motivate yourself to stick with your healthy eating plan by dangling a larger reward in the more distant future. How about offering yourself a mani/pedi after you lose those first ten pounds? Or a full day at the spa after you meet your goal weight? A weekend at the beach in your brand new bikini would be a fitting prize as well.
Come up with a reward that is truly meaningful to you. And then go ahead an earn it while avoiding those little daily stumbling blocks. String together a full week of days with no cheating. Then go for a month! Pretty soon you will be strolling down the beach, admiring your six-pack of ab's instead of carrying your 6-pack in a cooler!
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