Reward Ideas for Diet & Exercise

Rewarding yourself for sticking to your diet guidelines or meeting exercise goals can be tricky. You want to make sure your reward won't undo the good work you've done, so a night dining out, an alcoholic beverage or a sweet dessert isn't the ideal treat. There are plenty of other ways to reward yourself for a job well done, though, and some of them will actually help you reach your goals.

Outings

• Whether it's a half-day hike, a one-hour walk along the beach or a week-long vacation out of town, getting out of the house can feel great and helps keep you active, too. Outdoor activities are excellent exercise, but you may prefer a day shopping or at the museum. Either way, the walking will help keep you on track.

Clothing

• If you're in the process of losing weight, you could probably use new clothes that fit well. However, if the idea of buying yourself clothes that may not fit in a few months doesn't appeal to you, stick with accessories. Purses, jewelry, hats or shoes will suit you for longer and can be just as fun to shop for and work toward.

Luxuries

• There are lots of ways to treat yourself to a more luxurious lifestyle that won't break the bank. Consider hiring a housecleaning service for a day, getting a massage or choosing some fancy bath products. There may be a specific event you'd like to attend, such as a concert, play or sporting event.

Little Things

• Reward yourself often and celebrate small successes as well as big ones. Some people find putting a sticker on the calendar gives them a sense of accomplishment. Try adding small amounts of money at a time to a gift card so your little achievements add up to a big reward. Classes at a local hobby center or recreation center can be inexpensive and work well with scheduling goals.