Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Chase the Carrot...Rewarding Success

As a teacher, I am always trying to instill in my students the idea of intrinsic motivation...motivation to try their best, do their homework, and study for simply the satisfaction of doing a good job.  However, I know reality is much different and a homework prize sitting in a decorated box is much more motivating. 

Then I began to look at myself and what motivates me.  Of course I love the feeling of being healthy and knowing I am living a fit life, but that "carrot" dangling gets me out of bed in the wee hours of the morning.
A faster mile...longer plank...pounds lost...skinny jeans...longer long runs...a new shiny pr...Is this wrong?  Why wouldn't the same strategy that I use with my students and my own daughter work for me and losing weight?  Yes being healthy is motivation enough but after it is all said and done I'd like a little something for the effort!  Saturday after getting home from my long run (I tend to do my best thinking on my long runs), I told my hubby my new plan.  I was going to reward myself for each 10lbs that I lose.  Now during the pregnancy I probably rewarded myself with treats (probably why I have so much to lose but hey I was pregnant), these rewards, however, are going to be more tangible.  I know you've all seen this saying...
So after my first 10lbs...I'm getting myself some fancy warm gloves that I saw in a local store the other day while shopping for my hubby!  I have really warm Under Armour gloves but have to take them off if I want to change songs on my iPhone (SUCKS in New England winter running).  So these babies are mine when the scale reads 10lbs lighter (only 3lbs away!)...
I have several more things in mind...like an arm band for my iPhone...or those awesome shirts with the thumb holes (Yes I do realize that these things have been out forever!)...or even some race entries. 
Any suggestions?  Do you reward yourself for catching the "carrot"?




20 comments:

  1. non food motivators can be a GREAT motivator!!! good luck, lady! you got this!

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  2. I do
    lovingly and a lot ;-)
    HELLO NEW BOOKS and APPAREL :-)

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  3. love this idea!! what is your final prize idea? New sneaks??? Date night out with babysitter? Movie night, ice skating? Non food related of course!

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  4. You are so close to your goal! They look like great gloves. I put a hole in my gloves when I fell a while back, but I don't mind the hole too much. It reminds me to watch my step!

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  5. You are doing so well. Love the idea of a little reward at the end of the effort. And those gloves are pretty cool looking!

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  6. What a great idea! Good luck and your readers are here to hole you accountable :)

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  7. That is such a good idea. I never think to do this kind of thing for myself. Thanks.

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  8. Last year I realllllllllly wanted these tie dye running shoes (aasics tri gel noosas), but they were LOUD and not practical for half marathons so I couldn't justify buying them. My bf at the time said that with shoes that obnoxious you have to be fast, so he suggested I set a goal time for half marathon distance. I still hadn't broken 1:50 yet, so he said 1:45 because then I had to push myself. Sounds silly but it REALLY worked. I already wanted to break 1:50, this gave me a reason to push further and see if i couldn't go 1:45.

    i've never rewarded myself for weight loss, however i think i should start doing that so i can get results quicker!

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  9. Love little rewards :)

    Keep it going!

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  10. I don't usually plan on rewarding myself but do use that as an excuse when I want to buy myself something. You need to get some of those gloves that actually work with the smartphones so you don't have to take them off :) Have a great year and good luck on losing your first 10lbs. I am sure you will have to problems doing it!

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  11. Massages? Pedicures? Warm running socks? A new nail polish?

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  12. I already have a massage and pedicure waiting for me for sticking to my january training plan!

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  13. Such a great idea! I love doing this and massages are normally the first reward I pick.

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  14. Nothing wrong with a little incentive! I like those gloves :) Plus you'll be rewarded twice because you will feel better!!

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  15. Love those gloves!!! I love rewarding myself, usually with a massage or new apparel!!!!!

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  16. You will get those gloves in no time! I think rewarding yourself for your successes is great. We deserve to be rewarded every once in a while. In a job, the reward is the paycheck. People don't work just to make their bosses happy:)

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  17. Incentives are a great way to keep track of progress in achieving especially running goals. Make your incentive as big as your goal. For example, run a 5k then buy a new outfit or a run a marathon and treat yourself to a mini weekend getaway. Good luck with your goal!

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  18. Now that I think about it I don't reward myself very often. Side note...I seriously need new, warmer, gloves!

    I can see you wearing those gloves now :)

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