How to Reward Yourself Wisely: Regular exercise is a routine part of a healthy lifestyle, and having tangible rewards to look forward to can be a great way to stay motivated and stay on track with your workout habit. While it’s important to reward yourself for sticking with your healthy habits, it’s important to make sure your rewards are ones that further your goals. Here are a few tips for rewarding yourself wisely for working out:
How to Reward Yourself Wisely
1. Think Small
It’s easy to get caught up in a spiraling cycle of over-rewarding yourself for achieving little successes in your fitness routine. To avoid this, define small, achievable goals like running two miles in a certain amount of time or committing to a certain number of workouts a week. When you achieve these goals, treat yourself to something small. This could be a new fitness magazine or a piece of healthy dark chocolate.
2. Make it Healthy
The best rewards are ones that bolster your progress and support your health. If you hit your monthly workout goal, consider booking a massage or another type of stress relief. Or purchase a pair of running shoes or join a yoga class. Even a healthy home-cooked meal could be a great reward.
3. Take a Break
Sometimes the best reward for sticking to your fitness routine is a break from it. That doesn’t mean you should quit your workout habit altogether, but taking a day off here and there can be beneficial for both your physical and mental health. Additionally, go on a guilt-free vacation and give yourself a break from the routine for several days.
4. Rely on Friends
Recruiting a friend to join your workout regimen can be a powerful reward. Having someone to share your successes with can be a big motivator and spending time with friends is always beneficial. Additionally, it can be fun to celebrate post-workout successes with a healthy meal or an activity that an get both of your heart rates up.
5. Make it Memorable
Make sure your rewards leave a lasting impression in your memory. This could mean going on a hike with your family to celebrate achieving a big goal or buying a meaningful and stylish piece of exercise gear to commemorate your progress.
Overall, rewarding yourself for working out is a great way to create a positive association and stay motivated. Just remember to think small, make your rewards beneficial, and make that reward something you can remember for years to come.
