How to Stop Food Rewards for Fitness Motivation

How to Stop Food Rewards for Fitness Motivation

by
Positive reinforcement, such as rewarding yourself with a treat, plays an important role in maintaining motivation and perseverance when it comes to achieving your ultimate goals. These small victories can help you stay on track, research has shown. By dividing one big goal into several smaller ones, each step becomes an achievement.

However, it is easy to go overboard with rewards that can undermine our goals. Let’s be honest, we all want to indulge in our junk food cravings, and what better time to enjoy than after you’ve just achieved something healthy? You do not have to cut out junk food completely, but knowing how to reward yourself in a way that is consistent with your health goals can completely change your approach.

There are many non-food rewards that will get you pumped about the next step in your plan. So, consider celebrating with these healthy rewards the next time you lean towards sugary or salty cravings.

When was the last time you set aside time for a quick nap? Because it can be tricky to prioritize an afternoon nap in a busy program, try to make it a reward for your next achievement.

Short naps have been shown to improve cognitive performance in some cases. So if you give in to falling asleep, you could be unemployed. Allowing yourself to feel refreshed and uplifted after a workout connects to health goals, as opposed to giving in to sweet or fatty foods.

Buy a piece of workout

Did you keep an eye on some training pants? How about a new cute suit with a workout? Set yourself an achievable goal and pre-select an affordable tool, and as soon as you reach your target, hit the internet to go shopping.

How to change popular yoga postures if you are very inflexible

Keeping the new item in mind while exercising can keep you motivated for longer.

Looking good for your next workout can also make you feel better about working toward your ultimate goal. Knowing that you deserve that garment or equipment you use will only help you pursue more and take you one step closer to your next milestone. This reward is a win-win.

Light a candle and read a book

Lighting a candle is a simple act, yet it can be very relaxing and rewarding. After a long day of work and practice, you can just leave a book and a candle by your side, just what you need to unwind.

‘Me time’ is not usually prioritized, but it’s a great way to rekindle our minds and bodies.

Reading a book is a satisfying reward.
Awareness, which is usually improved during times of relaxation, has been shown to reduce stress and improve quality of life. As part of this reward, try to free your negative thoughts and just focus on relaxing. You deserved it. (Just make sure you extinguish the candle completely when you are done.)

Give yourself a free pass to say no

Put yourself first. Is there a task, assignment or social involvement you feared? Allow yourself to say no if you really do not feel up to it. Many of us end up making plans out of guilt rather than really craving. Rather, commit to using this time to exercise.

Get bath salts and relax

What better way to reward a healthy performance than with a relaxing bath?

Health & Fitness Needs To Tackle Your New Year's Resolution (CNN Undercored)
There is a strong link between physical and mental health, studies have suggested. Physical activity produces the feel-good chemicals in our brain called endorphins, which in turn can help you develop a positive attitude. Regular workouts strengthen the bond between body and body. So by promoting one, you are likely to promote the other.

Rewards with mental health can motivate you to exercise because you can relax afterwards – which is necessary after a strenuous workout. Rest is essential to help your body recover from strength training and cardiovascular exercises and may even help future performance.

Using these five rewards can help you facilitate the reward system in a food area. Dedicating yourself too much to processed foods can impair your progress and leave you feeling unmotivated as before.

Rather, celebrate your win with rewards that help strengthen your mind, body, or both.

Stephanie Mansour, host of “Step It Up With Steph” on PBS, is a health and wellness journalist and consultant and weight loss trainer for women.

.Source