Is anyone else out there having trouble collecting rewards lately? For me, it's hard enough 11 months of the year to find time to reward myself, but during the holiday season, the budget and schedule are tighter than ever. So here I am at 7:30 a.m. on a Sunday, just having finished a workout as part of my goal of 400 minutes of exercise a week. But then it occurred to me -- when am I going to have a chance to collect the reward I promised myself while I was still in bed (getting a pedicure)? I have gifts to shop for, a house to decorate, a tree to put up, a toddler to care for, a job to go to...

What do you all do at such times? Thanks!

How do I fit the rewards is? I make the time. It's like a paycheck for doing what is right for me. I schedule that time and nothing takes it place ( just like the activity that got me the reward) If you don't care for youself, who is going to?

One time I finished 40 mins on the elliptical machine. I wanted to quit about 20 times during the 40 mins. I got on line and ordered a new exercise music CD just for finishing that one workout.

I have a hard time carving out rewards for myself. Generally, I feel so great having eaten right or exercised or whatever, that it is enough reward in and of itself. I know though that I need to offer rewards for things that are going to be tough.
The reward helps keep me conscious and fully aware ofmy goals.
I have tried to give myself rewards of things that I sort of need anyway. For me, it is new exercise shorts at TJ MAXX.
What about putting the money in an envolope marked PEDICURE and using it after the rush of the holidays.
P.S. Congrats on making the exercise goal!

I always have a mental list of rewards and/or things I want/need that will make living healthier easier.

Is there some kitchen gadget that you have been wanting? Do you have a dull can opener, melted spatula, rusty potato peeler, rusty muffin tin, etc, that just make you go "Uggghhhh" everytime you use it. It would be pretty easy to pick one up while shopping and you could probably get a really nice one (even the top of the line!) for under $20 and you don't have to tip the sales clerk. AND you will feel happy everytime you peel vegetables!

OR another school of thought... you deserve the pedicure, so carve out the time and $$$$ to do it...

I'm more in the $10-15 spatuala school.