Mind over matter?

Don't your regulars do that?  Where I'm from, you tip or gift=to the cost of your normal session with the stylist, trainer, etc.

I get tips yes ofcourse. I guess how I see it is if i am paying for a trainer or stylist or whatever in that kind of field. I am already paying them a good amount of money that they are making off of me and can buy their own stuff. Not that I am like hmm whats the word...not caring or anything. I just feel if I am paying a HUGE amount for someone to shape my body and make me healthier they're making enough as it is.

True, you are paying for services, but tipping is merely recognition of their services, just as I gift my clients for the work we've done together. Our culture does a lot of tipping these days--from the doorman to the garbage man at Christmas.  It's just the way it is. I haven't decided whether I will save that big gift (the flight) for when I reach 100 lost or goal, but any gift will be because he has been amazing.   Your relationship is unusual as you share so much together, and it's a back and forth.  He's a friend now and as one, and as a professional I think does an amazing job, he should be recognized.  He's very unusual, IMO, now that I know a lot of trainers.  Had I had someone else, they'd probably just get a fruit or tea basket....

The garbage man!!!? lol.

IMO, I think you should save the BIG gift for when you get that 100 pounds off. Save it until then. For now maybe something a little smaller :) But your choice.

I'm sure local culture and age also influence tipping activity, Taken from a tipping ettiquette site:

Christmas Holiday Tipping Etiquette

Christmas is a great time of year to remember those people who serve you regularly. Since it only occurs once a year, holiday tipping can be a source of holiday stress, but it need not be so. I recommend a gift or a tasteful Christmas card with a tip inside. Delivery should occur in the month of December prior to Christmas day. Tip those who serve you all year long and whom you have a personal relationship with.

• Maid - one week's pay. This is for maids in your employ whom you pay directly. If you use a service and never know who is coming out, don't tip at all.
• Gardener - $20-50.
• USPS Mail carrier - Non-cash gifts with value up to $20. This is for mail carriers that you know and see regularly. Read more below.
• UPS - Regular driver - $15.
• FedEx - Not allowed to accept cash gifts, but a gift up to $25 in value is permissible.
• Apartment building superintendent - $50-200. Tip less if you tip throughout the year.
• Apartment Doorman/concierge - $10-80 or more each, depending upon building. The fewer doormen the building has, the more you tip each one. Those who serve you more should get a bigger tip.
• Apartment building handyman - $15-40 each.
• Apartment building elevator operators - $15-40 each.
• Shampoo - $10
• Manicurist/pedicurist - $15 or more
• Hairdresser/stylist - $15 or more
• Massage therapist - $15 or more. Read more about tipping massage therapists at www.frappydoo.com.
• Newspaper carrier - Daily - $25 - 50, weekend - $10
• Regular overnight delivery person - $10-30
• Teacher - $25-100. Give a gift certificate to a bookstore or office supply store. If you know the teacher's hobbies or interests, then a gift certificate would be nice from the local movie theater, hobby shop, mall, fine restaurant or day spa. Some teachers might feel uncomfortable receiving gifts around grade time. If you are unsure, ask your principal first.
• Coaches, tutors, ballet instructors, music teachers - A small gift from your child.
• Garbage collector(s) - $15-30 each. Nowadays, most garbage collectors are really truck drivers. The truck has an arm that does all the work. If this is your situation, there is no need to tip.
• Baby sitter - One night's pay, plus a small gift from your child.
• Full-time nanny - One week's to one month's pay based on tenure, plus a small gift from your child.
• Au pair - One week's pay, plus a small gift from your child.
• Day care service - $25-70, plus a small gift from your child.
• Parking attendants - $10-20 each
• Personal trainer - $60-100
• Country Club - I believe in tipping at Christmas regardless of the club's tipping policy. I recommend a minimum of $50 for your waiters, locker-room personnel, front-desk employees, and golf professionals. For head waiters or special service, make it $100.
• Dog groomer - 1/4 - 1/2 cost of a session.
• Dog walker or sitter - 1-2 week's pay.

Ok - to add to my Christmas list then.... Maid - I wil tip my husband one day's pay... so he will get an extra kiss Gardener - See above USPS mail carrier...  I will leave him a tip when he actually delivers my mail to the right office. UPS - DHL...  nope not tipping them either Dont have a super, doorman, handyman or elevator operator.... seriously who can pay the rent in December?

I will run over to supercuts right away and see if anyone can remember who did my hair this year... and whether I shoudl tip them.

My pedicurist deserves more than $15 but she doesnt speak english and I dont really like her all that much...

maybe I should get a massage therapist.

dont take the newspaper.

cant afford to tip my son's 6 teachers...  as they still dont comply with his 504 plan....  saving up to hire an attorney.

John's private viola teacher.... I will give her a box of goodies

garbage man - nada

dont have babysitters or nannies...  just my sister.  she will get a gift anyway....

Parking attendants??? 

personal trainer - dont have one, dont want one

Country club - bwwwwaaaaahhhhahaha

dog groomer/walker - glad I have toads! This is a list for wealthy folks I think, not the everyday person.   Does anyone here actually use more than 3 services on this list????  My entire Christmas budget is about $150 for my parents, son, sister and husband.  I simply cannot fathom putting out money to people that I pay on a regular basis for services rendered....  why stop there?  What about your doctor and dentist?  shouldnt they get a tip?  The guy who services your car?  The waitress at your favorite resturant?  Where does the madness stop?

LOL I like where it says that the garbage man is just a truck driver and the arm does all the garbage collecting.  My mail carrier is different every single time.  Since we live in a rural area she delivers my mail across the street and never comes to my actual door. Too funny on the pedicurist.

LOL on the compliance to his 504.  Definitely save for the lawyer.

If I had to tip anyone I would tip....ummmm.....well we HAVE to tip the waitress even if she screws up our order every single time.  Suddenly we HAVE to tip the people at the counter at Starbucks and the like.  Are we going to have to start tipping the people at McDonalds that take our order as well?   I would be more inclined to tip people that go above and beyond the call of duty.  I don't think tipping someone for doing their job is necessary.  A well thought out gift for someone that makes your day more pleasant?? Sure.  That shows thought and thank you.  But cash, nah, not unless someone tips me first!

"I would be more inclined to tip people that go above and beyond the call of duty. ... A well thought out gift for someone that makes your day more pleasant?? Sure. " I would add or who excels in their services.  That's why I thought to tip so well for my trainer. 

It's no different than year end bonuses, IMO. I recognize we all have different means, as well as cultures, though and that for some this might seem out there.  But etiquette has its place.