On Saturday hubby and I went on our "Valentines Date". Super yummy dinner, but again not on plan. Sunday we had my parents and the inlaws over for a lovely dinner. Needless to say, it is high time that I jump back into the swing of things.
So here is my question for the day? Is a food reward always bad?? I really do keep thinking about that crazy pina-colada cupcake, and I wonder if I should have it be a reward for xyz. I'm pretty sure that I will need to have another one in my lifetime, and it is just hanging over my head. How long till I break down, and indulge??? BUT, if it is a reward, then I can work toward it, enjoy it, adjust my calories for the day accordingly, and move on, staying on track.
What do you think?? Good idea, or bad idea?
Hmmm, just my thoughts and it may just be semantics, but I think I would say "I am planning for a speical treat." I don't think I would label it as a reward, but an occasional treat. You want to reward yourself with positive, healthy things ... but maybe not food. It's all in the way we think...I think? (lol)
ReplyDeleteI think that if you have struggled with weight your whole adult life (which I have as well), then it is in your best interest to find another way to reward yourself. If you reward yourself for exercise, wouldn't it seem counter productive for that reward to be food.
ReplyDeleteFind something else that you really love, like yummy teas from Teavana, pedicures, books...really anything that doesn't cost you calories and use those as rewards.
In the end it will help you break free from the food addiction. It has been working for me!! Good luck. Great job so far and congrats on the new baby :)
I think its fine, especially since you keep thinking about that one specific thing. I think you are being responsible in saying you will work it into your day and plan for it. As long as you don't always use food as a reward, and only have like, one cupcake rather than a bunch, I think its totally fine as a rare treat.
ReplyDeleteI personally don't use food as a reward. I definitely treat myself - but I use things like a pedicure as a reward, for me I have to see food as just a part of life. If you want it then try and make it work within your calories and have it =)
ReplyDeletePersonally I don't like to think of food in terms of things I can and cannot have. Using food as a reward (and adversely as punishment if you don't achieve that thing you wanted to achieve) doesn't seem very healthy. So for example if you put a condition on what you can have (like saying I can have this cupcake only when I lose 10lbs), it kind of sends the wrong message. But if you say I can have (and enjoy) this cupcake today because I had all my veggies and I haven't gone overboard, that's fine. You're not rewarding yourself for eating healthy, but you recognize you can indulge in moderation.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think you want to reward yourself with something you wouldn't usually take the time or have the guts to do for yourself (like going to a spa, shopping, trying something new), which, let's face it, doesn't really apply to a cupcake.
It's my personal opinion and I realize you may not see it this way, but hope it helped!