Rewarding yourself

Recently, I was told that in order to get myself motivated to get back to the gym, I needed to set "goals with rewards." 

You hear that a lot, if you're trying to change yourself.  In debt?  You should find "free ways to reward yourself for not spending money, for making on time payments, for paying off accounts. . ."   Find "low cost activities to enjoy, remember, just because you're broke doesn't mean life should be punishment."

It's all well and good for someone who's just got a self-help book deal to tell me that every time I lose 5 lbs I should buy a new CD, a new outfit or go to a movie (have you BEEN to a movie in the theatre recently?!?!  OMG) but in the real world, we'd all be broke long before we were fit!  

As for "free" rewards.. . .well, a long walk is fine, but not really how I wanted to celebrate paying off my car loan!

Below are a list of free or low-cost rewards I have stolen from other people over the years or made up on my own.  They are also non-food rewards. . . .even though I really think an ice cream cone for every successful hour in the gym would be AWESOME!

• Compliment yourself. Write down what you would say to anyone else who accomplished what you did.
• Create an award certificate to post on your fridge or wall proclaiming your accomplishments.  Don't waste printer ink - use your crayons, markers and stickers!
• Take a day off from any goal activities.
• Put $1 in a jar every time you meet a goal. When it gets to $50, treat yourself.
• Create a Trophy Scrapbook, where you keep mementos from your accomplishments.
• Head to the library for free movies, CDs, or even, *gasp* a book. 
• Host a movie night using said library movies and friends.
• Create a spa at home...whether it's a steaming hot bubble bath or an uninterrupted self-pedicure.
• Exchange massages with a loved one. - If you're working on getting out of debt together, you should definitely get rewarded together!
• Sit outside at sunset. 
• Watch your favorite TV show. (It's OK to lock yourself in a room to make it uninterrupted)
• Read a funny book.
• Find some time to be by yourself.
• Fly a kite.
• Dig out a CD or cassette you haven't listened to in years and rediscover it.
• Call a friend and brag about your accomplishment and what your next goal will be.
• Take your child on a picnic, even if it's just in the backyard.  After all, they've probably made sacrifices to help you reach your goals!
• If you're teamed up with a partner, set up a competition and reward each other.... ie, first one to "snowball" $100 gets...one hour of babysitting, 1 week off dish-duty, control of the remote, etc