Mar
When I was growing up whenever my brother or I did something good we were rewarded with food. Good grades? Let’s go for ice cream! Won a soccer game? How about a pizza party!
The truth is I think a lot of families are like this. After all, let’s face it - food is fun, everyone loves it and it is a great way to celebrate! Plus it’s a good way of getting everyone in the family together in one place at the same time.
The problem is, though, that many of us carry the habit of rewarding ourselves with food over into our adult lives. It might be something as simple as buying a pack of cookies because you had a hard week or going out for a big dinner because you did a great job on a project at work.
Treating yourself with food feels great! However, these little treats can add up to big calories pretty darn quickly. The sad part is that you can be wearing that pack of cookies on your hips and thighs long after the accomplishment that you were rewarding yourself for is forgotten.
If this sounds at all familiar to you then one of the easiest ways you can start losing weight is to find a different way to reward yourself that doesn’t involve eating.
In fact, I would say this is one of the main changes I personally made in the relationship I have with food that helped me to lose so much weight.
So here’s what you do. Brainstorm some ways to treat yourself that don’t involve eating. Pick things that make you happy or that make you feel good.
Some suggestions?
- Taking a nice, long hot bath
- Watching a good movie
- Curling up with a good book
- Buying a new, inexpensive little trinket
- Spending a day out in the sunshine
- Going to the park with a friend
- Getting your hair done
- Getting tickets to a concert or show
- Buying a new outfit in a smaller size
- Getting a massage
Or, try putting the money you save on food treats in a special reward fund that you use for some bigger treat like a vacation, a luxury day at the spa, a new wardrobe when you lose all the weight you want, etc.
Keep your eyes on the bigger prize and congratulate yourself everytime you skip a food treat and add to your fund instead.
Now, I want to be sure to point out that you can still occasionally reward yourself with food. I don’t think it’s realistic (or fun) to expect to give up all your favorites. And let’s face it, sometimes you’ve just got to have the ice cream, right?
The truth is that black and white thinking (”I can NEVER reward myself with food”) doesn’t work in any aspect of dieting or losing weight and it won’t work with this either.
Instead, just try to substitute non-food rewards as often as you can and see how it feels. If you like it, stick with it. If not, try something else until you find whatever it is that is going to work best for you to help you lose the weight for good.
Remember, weight loss isn’t about crash diets or “miracles”. Instead, it’s simply finding ways to change the way you think about food so that you make smarter choices, don’t deprive yourself and feel great.
Developing simple new habits is what is going to allow you to stay healthy and lean for years to come.
