Piggy Bank

Here's the basic idea: For every pound you lose, put $5 into a piggy bank or special envelope. When you have reached your goal, you'll have enough to really treat yourself or do something big as a reward for your hard work and dedication.

The Piggy Bank idea is similar to, but better, than other similar ideas. For example, some people reward themselves randomly with little gifts. The drawback is that it is short-term thinking and the reward is likely small. Others reward themselves through treats (food reward). However, food is best dealt with as part of the whole program (see Create Sustainability). Of course, you can reward yourself in whatever way works best for you... but the Piggy Bank concept has some advantages.

You can change the amount: maybe $1 or $10 -- it's up to you.

The point is that it adds up into a large amount you can really do something special with.

If you lost 50 pounds at $5 each, that's $250. If you need to lose 100 pounds, and put in $10 per pound, that's $1000. You get the point.

You could:

• Buy new clothes (which you'll need anyway after losing weight)
• Use it to contribute to a vacation
• A day at the spa
• Trip to the beach
• Jewelry
• Anything else special or rewarding to you that costs money to do

Mini-goals and milestones:
If it is more motivating, use some of the money for smaller milestones along the way. For example, after losing 5 pounds, 10 pounds, and 15 pounds.

Use this idea for exercise, too:
Every time you do your exercise routine, add money to the bank.

Behavior/Goal-Based:
You could also pay yourself weekly if you have met your goals for the week. Weight loss itself isn't always controllable (and fluctuates) but the smaller daily or weekly tasks you do ARE under your control. And when you do those things, weight loss naturally follows.