What are you doing to help you along the way ...ENCOURAGEMENT ideas!

I've been thinking a lot about this lately.

Today, I had a photographer friend take my before surgery photos.  I am planning to put them up over my computer in my kitchen (where I spend the most of my time).

I also put together a gem can.  I will give myself "gems" (glass vase beads) for good habits (drinking enough water, protein, exercising, etc.).  I already decorated my first can and will post a picture later today.

I'm also thinking of hanging my jeans up so I can see them everyday.

What are your ideas?

Honestly, I hadn't thought about specifics yet. Thank you for bringing it up in a details manner.

I have to ask, because we have used the gems for our boy as his rewards of good behavior & habits (pre money understanding for him). We put a value to certain amounts gained by him.... have you decided what you'll reward yourself after certain amounts of gems attained for these healthy habits??

I think it's a wonderful idea & I really like the decorated jar idea & I will be copying you!!  Some things that come to mind for me are spa services, facial, mani, pedi, massage type stuff. I never thought I deserved it before. These would be fun goals to work toward for me. Plus it would help me grow emotionally also.

I challenged a friend at work, who had voiced to me she would like  to drop 20lbs. I said ok, we both struggle getting in our activity & exercise, so we match each other. Meaning if 1 of us walks a certain amount of time or distance the other has to match it. We can raise each other too :)  So, although we can't always do it together we can motivate each other to get moving. So far it's been working & has been fun.

I am saving up for two trips with the gems.

1.  Trip to Vegas for hitting Onederland
2.  Trip to Walt Disney World for reaching my goal

I am giving myself 10 cents for each gem.  Once I fill my bank, I will count it and divide it between the two trips and then begin again.  I already have the banks set up and ready!  I took pics an hour ago and will post them later.

Here's the picture I promised ...



The Keys 2 Success can is for my daily gems.  Once that is completely filled, I will calculate how much I've "made" and then divide the money between the Vegas and WDW cans.

I am working on my encouragement wall for in front of my computer and will post that as soon as that is done as well.

I read a book called Fat No More, about a woman's 1st 2 years journey after gastric bypass. It was pretty good. One of the things it mentioned is that we now have to set rewards other than foods, so making a list if 10 rewards for goals met was recommended. It took a bit more effort than I expected to have a whole 10 non-food rewards ****pt having to remind myself that cheesecake isn't a possibility)
I like your gem idea, I think I'll borrow it as well.