50 Ways To Reward Yourself Without Food
New Clothes
Don’t wait until you hit your “magic” weight or size (you may end up re-evaluating those goals as you go); buy a few things as you go to feel great where you are now. You deserve to feel amazing every day, not when you arrive at some arbitrary destination you set for yourself. Clothes that are too big and not flattering will leave you feeling frumpy and like you’re not “there” yet. Celebrate your awesome, healthier new body with something like:
- New work clothes
- A great pair of jeans
- A new date night outfit
- New bras (get measured!)
- A pretty nightgown
- A sexy nightgown!
- New gym or yoga clothes
- Funny socks
- A fun or funny t-shirt
Pampering
No, you don’t need to wait until you can take a whole day at the spa, but a little bit of pampering might be just what you need! Build on your new approach to caring for yourself with good food and a healthy lifestyle, and give yourself a little indulgence that makes you feel great. Pamper yourself with one of the following:
- Pedicure
- Manicure
- Facial
- Full body massage
- Salon wash and blow dry
- Buy a new lipstick
- Get a new hairstyle
- A day pass at your local gym just to use the hot tub and sauna
Time For You
This is guilt free you time. How often do you take time out of your day to do something of no tangible value, just to relax and unwind and do something you enjoy doing? Plan anywhere from half an hour to a full afternoon and do something relaxing to unwind and recharge your batteries. Here are some ideas:
- Read a book or a trashy magazine
- Go see a movie by yourself
- Sit outside in the sun
- Daydream
- Have a bubblebath
- Browse at the bookstore
- Take yourself out for coffee
- Colour
- Listen to an audiobook or podcast
- Have a nap
- Watch a movie no one else likes but you
- Take a day off work just for you, with nothing to do
Treat Yourself
Yes, there is way more to life than “stuff” and I am big on rewarding with experiences, but sometimes it’s nice to gift yourself something you really want. Especially if you’re not the type of person who normally feels comfortable spending money on themselves. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, but a new thing that you want and don’t “need” can feel really fun and pick you up. It could be something that makes it more fun or easier to continue your new healthy habits, or it could be something totally just for fun. Consider:
- Buy yourself flowers
- New earrings
- A new, fun cell phone case
- A new shade of nail polish
- A kitchen tool you’ve been eyeing
- A new water bottle
- An iTunes card to get some new music for the gym
- A really good hand cream or lip balm
- Wireless headphone for the gym
- A new purse, tote or laptop bag
- Sunglasses that make you feel like a movie star
- Supplies for a hobby you enjoy, like scrapbooking, knitting, etc.
- Get your rings resized if you’ve lost so much weight they no longer fit
Take Something Off Your To-Do List
Give yourself the gift of one less thing to do. We all have too much on our do-list, and we all have things we hate doing.
- Have your house cleaned
- Pay someone to mow your lawn, shovel your snow or rake your leaves
- Drop your clothes at a laundry service
- Pay one of your kids to clean the junk drawer, reorganize the front closet, clean out the garage, wash the dog or any other chore you don’t like doing
- Have your groceries delivered
- Have your car detailed
- Have your windows washed
- Hire a personal chef service or healthy meal delivery service
Bottom line: a reward should be something that makes you feel good. That old habit of rewarding yourself with bad food isn’t really a reward at all; making yourself sick or feel bad isn’t a reward!
Rethink what a reward is for you, and choose something that is in line with your new healthy lifestyle and caring for yourself. You deserve it.
