You know why I offer prizes for every 10 Pound Takedown Challenge?
Simple. It’s because they’re motivating!
Some people care more than others, but even if it’s not the challenge, most people enjoy the opportunity for prizes and rewards in some area of their lives.
Heck, as a society, most of us have used food for a reward countless times throughout our lives.
Now, food’s not a great choice for a reward, because, as we all know from experience, that just makes us emotional eaters.
But that doesn’t mean you should abandon all rewards, especially when it comes to losing your weight and keeping it off.
Setting up rewards as you lose your weight (not just when you get to goal, but during the journey) is such a great way to keep your motivation nice and strong.
These rewards can be anything (except food!). Trips, jewelry, fancy new sheets, a new pair of shoes, a candlelight sea salt bubble bath – whatever it is YOU enjoy, and that will motivate YOU.
Rewards are especially effective if you have a significant amount of weight to lose, but even if you don’t, embrace the idea.
Besides the benefit of motivation, rewards are also a way to celebrate as you go, instead of waiting until you reach your goal.
See, so often in our lives we refuse to celebrate until we reach a certain outcome.
It’s fine to do that, too, but celebrating as you go is equally important. We don’t want to be so wrapped up in the outcome that we miss the entire journey.
Also, don’t stop celebrating once you reach goal weight!
Not celebrating maintenance is a mistake I see too many people make. The fact you reached goal and are keeping your weight off is a big freaking deal!! We know anyone can lose some weight doing just about anything, but keeping it off is the hard part. Of course that’s worth celebrating!
Choose monthly rewards for every month you go with keeping your weight off. Throw in bigger rewards quarterly, and/or every 6 months, and of course, every year you keep your weight off.
Below is a basic example of what you could do to plan out your rewards, for both weight loss mode and goal weight.
The amount of pounds I put in are random – go in whatever increments you want (although, like I said, if you’ve got a good chunk of weight to lose, I’d make the increments smaller, not larger. It’ll be more motivating for you).
Give these – or your own version – a real shot.
We spend so much time beating ourselves up. Instead of going down that road again, celebrate yourself!
Weight Loss Mode Rewards:
5 Pounds: ______________________
10 Pounds: _____________________
15 Pounds: _____________________
20 Pounds: _____________________
30 Pounds: _____________________
50 Pounds: _____________________
60 Pounds: _____________________
75 Pounds: _____________________
90 Pounds: _____________________
100 Pounds: ____________________
Maintenance Rewards:
1 Month: ______________________
2 Months: _____________________
Quarterly Reward: _____________________
4 Months: _____________________
5 Months: _____________________
6 Month Reward: ___________________
7 Months: _____________________
8 Months: _____________________
Quarterly Reward: _____________________
10 Months: _____________________
11 Months: _____________________
1-Year Reward: _____________________