Reward Me

on December 21, 2011
in All Posts

Ew.  It’s gross out.  If it was 20 degrees cooler, we’d be snow stormin’ right now.  But it’s not so we’re not, and for that – I am thankful. 

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Dreary day breakfast:

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A very simple bowl of oats:

 

1/2 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup soy milk

1/2 cup water

1 banana

Toppings: raspberries, pumpkin seeds, agave

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I am very excited for this afternoon because Nicole and I have a fun spa day planned.  I told myself that if I worked out three times a week for three weeks in a row, I could go get a manicure/pedicure before Christmas.  And guess what?  That was some SERIOUS MOTIVATION to stick with my goals.  Every time I thought about curling up on the couch, I looked at my blank training plan and overgrown cuticles and laced up my sneakers.  Love me some positive reinforcement. 

 

Now… if I could just get through this pile of work so I could have some fun!

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Thought of the Day:

 

“Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.” – Og Mandino

 

Do you believe in using rewards as a motivator to stick with healthy habits?  What kind of rewards do you give yourself?

{ 36 comments }

 

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat December 21, 2011, 9:56 am

    Ooh enjoy your spa date!! I love getting pedicures done and it has been WAY too long since my last one (I’m sure that as a runner, you know all about what I mean!!) Have a lovely time!

  • Faith @ For the Health of It December 21, 2011, 9:58 am

    I don’t use rewards as motivators for healthy habits because to me it enforces the idea that they’re something extraordinary, instead of just a simple daily habit that I can easily integrate as part of everyday life. That said, pedicures do sound pretty sweet – especially to ease sad runner’s feet!

  • Paula December 21, 2011, 9:59 am

    Rewards are one of the best ways to reward myself for working out. If I work out M-Th I allow myself a little sleep-in on Friday and go out to breakfast. It totally works.

  • Amanda December 21, 2011, 10:03 am

    I sometimes use small rewards for my workouts, like taking a long, hot shower after, treating myself to a latte, or sleeping in one day. Most of the time, simply reminding myself of how good I feel when I’m consistently working out (and how much better I sleep) is enough to do the trick.

    Enjoy your spa day! You earned it!

  • Lindsey December 21, 2011, 10:05 am

    Good for you! I do that too, and love the rewards. I want a spa day so bad right now, but am waiting until the new year when I can go with some friends 🙂

  • Nicole December 21, 2011, 10:14 am

    I wish it were snow stormin’. Then We could be sitting in Starbucks sipping coffee instead of going to work. 🙂

  • Sarah December 21, 2011, 10:22 am

    I think rewards are a great motivator. Unfortunately for me, mine usually involve FroYo. At least it’s not ice cream 😉

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb December 21, 2011, 10:27 am

    i definitely use rewards as motivators… but i generally reward workouts with food! don’t know if that negates the whole point… 🙂

    have a lovely spa day! esse has some super cute new polish colors.

  • HRCK the Herald December 21, 2011, 10:32 am

    I actually don’t think I’ve ever rewarded myself for workouts. I should do it for cleaner eating sometime though. This week probably isn’t the best time to start though… (think that’s being smart and not just a “oh, I’ll start tomorrow!” mentality)

  • Jenn December 21, 2011, 10:37 am

    Enjoy your manicure and pedicure : )
    I love the quote at the end of the post. It really spoke to me this morning. Thank you!

  • Anne December 21, 2011, 10:50 am

    That’s an awesome reward! I haven’t set mini goals/rewards for myself, but I love the idea 🙂

  • Tiffany December 21, 2011, 10:58 am

    I do the same thing!! Mini goals are essential, they help me stay motivated to finish a paper or complete a run. Even if its something simple as buying a new piece of clothing 🙂 or going to a yoga studio for my next workout.

    your oatmeal looks delicious! Have a great day and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

  • Nena December 21, 2011, 10:59 am

    Double chocolate cake slice from harris teeter! If I eat well and excercise I allow myself a slice on Sunday nights with a glass of wine..mmmmmm! 🙂

  • Kim L. December 21, 2011, 11:08 am

    I love your ‘Thought of the Day’. Powerful!

  • Moni'sMeals December 21, 2011, 11:09 am

    That was a very deep and striking quote. Thank you… as I think we all can agree, it is a change of thinking for sure. 🙂

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed December 21, 2011, 11:30 am

    Love a mani/pedi! Positive reinforcement definitely works. I think I’m going to utilize your super simple training plan and set up a short term reward with a friend as well, yay!

  • Ashley @ Cooking for John December 21, 2011, 11:30 am

    I looooove that quote- I just posted it as my Facebook status. 🙂

    Enjoy your spa day!

  • Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction December 21, 2011, 11:31 am

    Good for you! That kind of motivation usually helps me too!

  • SkinnyRunner December 21, 2011, 11:39 am

    i use signing up for races as my reward. that doesnt even sound like it makes sense but in my head it does!

  • Leighann December 21, 2011, 12:24 pm

    Hey Caitlin,
    Do you use GF oats in your breakfasts? And if you do, are they tasty?
    Thanks!

    • Caitlin December 22, 2011, 11:16 am

      Yup! I get them from Trader Joe’s. They taste like normal oats.

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife December 21, 2011, 12:31 pm

    That IS some awesome motivation–love it! I use rewards such as “You’re going to get stronger if you do this” etc. I also like to think I’ll get a nice, long shower and a nap if I do something hard as well 🙂

    Love the oatmeal bowl!

  • khushboo December 21, 2011, 12:33 pm

    Rewards are a fab motivator! I just treated myself to a pair of designer goals for building up my running to 10miles (I was stuck at a 5mile rut for so long beforehand). Knowing you’ve worked hard for something makes you appreciate it so much more!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey December 21, 2011, 12:48 pm

    I love mani/pedi’s! I just got one the other day – it was MUCH needed!

  • Katie @ Peace Love and Oats December 21, 2011, 1:12 pm

    I was thinking the opposite last week when it was raining, I wish it were snow!

  • Amber K December 21, 2011, 1:25 pm

    Rewards definitely help, although I haven’t found anything bigger than simply how good I feel after a workout to motivate me. Have a fun spa day!

  • Laura @ My Pink Thumb December 21, 2011, 1:36 pm

    I’m definitely a firm believer in rewards for yourself. It helps to add that extra little push of motivation. I’m currently working through a 30-Day Shred Challenge and plan to do Ripped in 30 immediately after. I have told myself that I will reward myself with some sort of new Lululemon gear (much needed) after I finish each challenge. 🙂

  • Kimberly December 21, 2011, 2:37 pm

    I love the idea of using rewards as motivation! I’m working towards creating a workout schedule instead of working out sporadically, so this may help!

  • Marathon Beauty December 21, 2011, 4:32 pm

    I totally use rewards! When I injured my hip I knew I was going to have to re-think my exercise plan and so I came up with a reward system based off of minutes, not intensity. http://marathonbeauty.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/staying-active-while-injured/

    I have rewards at different levels and some levels just get a “good job” pat on the back. It has helped motivate me to get in extra minutes wherever I can so that I can earn the next level! Oh, and it’s color coordinated too!

    • Caitlin December 22, 2011, 11:15 am

      That is an awesome post.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin December 21, 2011, 6:07 pm

    I don’t give myself rewards because for me, my reward is my health. But I can totally see how a spa day would be an awesome motivator. 😀 Hope you had fun!

  • April December 21, 2011, 8:03 pm

    I use SparkPeople and one of the fun things on there is getting points for different things. Fitness activity earns a lot of points so I love being able to input my activity at the end of the day.

    • Caitlin December 22, 2011, 11:15 am

      SparkPeople is so fun 🙂 Love that website.

  • Keri December 21, 2011, 8:51 pm

    Love, love the quote you shared at the end. Good words to live by. Every day 🙂

  • Jen December 22, 2011, 1:31 am

    I’m with you…we’ve had quite a bit of rain lately, but I am SO glad that it’s not ice/snow, especially with all of the running around this time of year!

    Also, love that quote!

  • Yolie @ Practising Wellness December 22, 2011, 5:24 am

    I love that quote so much, it’s beautiful, and so inspiring and true. <3 Oooh…enjoy your spa day! That sounds WONDERFUL! I would totally reward myself with a pedicure if I have spare pennies…soon, maybe not over Christmas, lol! They are SO much more expensive here in England than the US, like $60 minimum for a mani-pedi. Craziness I tell you. Have a lovely day Caitlin! xyx

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