photo credit: sunshinecity

I do well with rewards, and now that I’m caring about my fitness and health again, it seems like a good idea to set some goals and tie some rewards to them.

This go-round, I’m going to do three types of rewards: “doing the right thing,” metrics, and performance-based treats. Here’s what I have in mind…

“Doing the right thing”

Sometimes it’s easy to fall off the bandwagon when I’m not immediately seeing results, so I’m going to give myself some rewards just for doing the right things, regardless of results, in hopes that this will keep me doing them.

Here are my daily “right things”:

• Logging my food
• Logging my weight on Physics Diet
• Putting my shoes on in the morning (no excuses for not walking, etc.)
• Maintaining a 500-calorie deficit on non-biking weekdays, break-even on weekends and biking days

Weekly:

• Minimum of two strength-training workouts (the SELF Challenge workouts)
• Minimum of three half-hour cardio workouts (most of my bike rides are significantly longer)

The rewards

I know I’m not perfect, and only rewarding myself when I am will definitely backfire, so the criteria for a reward will be five consecutive days doing the right things. I will get one of the following rewards (in order!) for each successful round:

• “Skin care shopping spree” made up of Neutrogena® Summer Glow Daily Moisturizer SPF 20, Neutrogena® Build-a-Tan™ Gradual Sunless Tanning Face SPF 15, and the Clean & Clear Advantage kit
• Anarchy perfume (a cheap knock-off of Donna Karan’s Chaos, which Daniel liked but is discontinued these days)
• Weleda Baby Pregnancy Body Oil (it’s supposed to help prevent stretch marks!)
• Levenger Circa Bookcloth notebook (Junior size) + Desk Punch
• One book from my wish list (for all future weeks until I come up with other rewards )

Metrics

These are a little more straightforward: I hit the goal, I get the prize. For each number, the goal is considered “hit” when I maintain it (according to my daily average on Physics Diet) for seven consecutive days. (For the record, these rewards are all going to be modified if I get pregnant!)

• 145 pounds: Bra Cup Racerback Tank
• 140 pounds: Tempered Short
• 135 pounds: Side Sheer Bottom
• 133 pounds (my goal weight): Dipper Pant
• 29% body fat: Bra Cup Vee Neck Tank
• 27% body fat: AT Short
• 25% body fat: St. Martin Wedge
• 23% body fat: Reversible Tie Back Tankini
• 21% body fat: Layback Linen Pant
• 19% body fat (my goal): Solid Reversible 2-in-1 Tow-In Top

Performance-based

This is the most nebulous, just because I need some input from Daniel. What I’m thinking: when I can do the road ride up to the local ski hill in a certain number of minutes, we get a mountain tandem. (But that’s why he needs to be in on it, too.)

I’ll update this post as needed.

I’ve spent today catching up on the neglected clients and projects. It’s draining to feel behind on everything (though admittedly, it’s getting better). I decided to take a break and go get the mail—getting the mail is one of the great (small) pleasures of my life.

Imagine my excitement when I got a package! I love packages!

And then I opened the package!

Oh, now you know that’s going to be good!

Now I know you are all incredibly jealous… look at all that fudgy goodness!

A little back-story on the fudge: when I checked my email on Monday morning, I had a super-nice note from Reonne of Earth’s Sweet Pleasures. Over the weekend, she used my WordPress videos to learn to install her blog, appropriately named Chocolate Fudge Cafe (is your mouth watering yet?!).

She appreciated the videos and offered to send me some fudge. Now what sane woman would turn down that offer?!? Not this one! (Though I guess at this point my claim on sanity is a little tenuous…) I didn’t realize that Reonne was going to send me 16 pieces, though!

Honestly, even more than the fudge (which is fantastic, by the way… I kept it intact just long enough for the photos ), I’m really touched that she went out of her way to do something so nice. After a very stressful few days, it’s like my soul just sighed with satisfaction.

Ahhhhhhhhh…

Don’t underestimate what your gestures of thoughtfulness can do for another person.