RAMBLING...REWARDS & GOALS

My buddies on GoaD were discussing Rewards...how you reward yourself for your successes as you travel down the path of this journey & I have to say that I never really understood why this time around I haven't been into "rewards" or even finding it necessary to set specific goals till these guys got me thinking about it yesterday.

In the past, when I celebrated how well I was doing, I would blow it...each & every time... never could figure it out...kinda like the complacency issue. I NEVER continued w/ WW (or any other diet) after that 20lb celebration…don’t ask me why, I really don’t have a clue. (this is why getting my 10% keychain was HUGE for me!!)

But this time, early on, I realized that continuing to take care of myself & being proud of my progress was my reward...I DIDN’T decide that THAT was going to be my reward, I just really FELT it, deep inside.

In the past I would "reward" my great WI w/ something I loved & felt deprived of... usually something deep fried... it wasn't really a reward, it was more of a "whew, I made it to WI & now have a whole week to get over what I'm about to put in my body" type of thing. It didn't take me long, this time around, to realize that I didn't want to do that anymore... how was THAT a reward? Was that really a celebration?? NOT! I realized that I DESERVED THE VERY BEST...I wanted to continue the feeling of pride & accomplishment & there was no way that I was going to keep that feeling going by doing something that was completely unnecessary.

For me, feeling like I have to give myself a reward for doing the right thing seems unnecessary…I’m not saying that it should be that way for you…it’s just this way for me. Don’t ask why…I have no clue. :o) I don’t need a doggy treat to do the trick, you know?? When I get to goal, I’m going to be proud of myself & confident & that’s huge for me.

Goals…I only have one…to get healthy, get strong & be happy (well…I guess that’s more than one…but it’s all-in-one) …I’m going to enjoy the changes along the way… the clothing NSVs & other such things & I’m certainly going to celebrate my progress w/ my friends & family (blood & GoaD) but my eye (& heart) is on the big prize…the rest is just going to happen anyways.

The further I get into this journey, the easier it’s becoming…it’s going to take me at least another year to get this weight off…but it doesn’t matter. I’ve begun to get excited about the future I am creeping up on & I’m ready to do what I can to make it the best future. I’m FINALLY getting excited about getting some sort of APs daily…I got a short bike ride in w/ the boys yesterday & then when everyone else went to bed, I took a quick 2 mile walk in my neighborhood (yes, in the dark) carrying my 2# WATP balls w/ me (need to get some wrist weights instead), enjoying it like I have never enjoyed it before…excited that I am getting stronger each day & knowing that this is something I’m going to enjoy for the rest of my life. Brad & I are going to start walking or biking each morning before he goes to work (early…ugh!). I haven’t gone overboard w/ working out…I know that THAT is unrealistic for me to be able to keep up an over the top routine for the rest of my life…knowing that the minute I pull back even a fraction I’ll start gaining again (just like starting to eat “normal” again…doesn’t work)

I’m fortunate to have a hubby that is super happy w/ healthy food & is all for sharing a full portion w/ me when we go out…has no problem w/ me buying a lean (& pricy) cut of meat & didn’t chide me when I came home w/ a new (expensive) digital food scale, but instead took out some strawberries & weighed them…saying “cool, it weighs in grams, too!!” (LOL!!) We’re going to grow healthy together…he’s even dropped 2” from his waist w/out even trying. (& not really needing to)

Okay…you know me, I can go on all day…I’m just reflecting…excited about my future …knowing that this is becoming more natural each day… 2nd nature is what I’ve been shooting for…hope you are too!

You guys are the best…hope you don’t mind my ramblings & even come away w/ a little something for yourself.