30 Day Challenges Day 24 | Reward Yourself

So remember back to my 30 Days without Sugar? And remember that beyond amazing chocolate cake I made for my friend’s wedding and didn’t even taste in the baking process?

One of the only ways I made it through that day in the kitchen and the half a month that followed was to promise myself that I’d bake another, equally as amazing chocolate cake in November. I practically had dreams about that cake. I saw it at night when I closed my eyes, and imagined it when I took sugar free bites of egg casserole or whatever else I ate until mid November when I finally did award myself.

That was the 30 Days that I realized the importance of rewards.

Now let’s be clear. I’m not telling you to celebrate every moment of success or good thing that happens during your 30 Days. That is just a slippery slope that you don’t want to get started down. You won’t make it to the end in one piece.

Here’s what I am saying. You are working hard. And when you reach an incredible milestone or when you find your motivation lacking, a reward might do the trick to get you through and give you an extra push. And while my chocolate reward came well after my 30 Days were over, you don’t have to wait for the end of your challenge

Try setting a mini goal. If you battle with going running in the cold, then set a mini goal to run for the 12 of the next 15 days, and then promise yourself something awesome at the end, like a massage or a pedicure or a lunch date with the girls. If you’re trying to loose weight, then set a pounds-lost goal. When you reach it, treat yourself to new exercise clothes or download a new work out playlist.

Here’s the key, though. Make sure your reward won’t get in the way of reaching your 30 Day goals. If I’d eaten my chocolate cake before the end of my no sugar challenge, then I would’ve defeated the purpose of avoiding it the day I made it. Don’t reward in contrast to your goals.

A reward can refresh you, give you a new beginning and a new burst of energy to finish your challenge successfully. Try it the next time you’re stuck or thinking of quitting.

How do you reward yourself?