29 weight loss rewards to help keep you motivated on your journey
Positive reinforcement works — here's why.
Undertaking a weight loss journey can feel both daunting and exciting.
Weight loss is never linear and can feel disheartening at times. While some days and weeks feel straightforward, others can feel incredibly difficult — especially if you're experiencing a weight loss plateau or regular weight fluctuations.
This is why it's important to regularly reward yourself as you lose weight, to help keep you feeling motivated. These don't have to be costly or big weight loss rewards — it can be something as simple as creating a new workout playlist or treating yourself to an at-home spa day.
We've created a list of weight loss rewards that you might helpful on your journey. Let's dive in!
Why rewarding yourself is important
As you navigate your weight loss journey, you might like to map out some weight loss milestones that feel significant for you. And, once you meet these goals, be sure to reward yourself.
It might seem frivolous but having small rewards along your journey can help keep you feeling motivated and engaged. In fact, the psychological concept, known as operant conditioning, suggests that people learn through reward and punishment [1].
The idea is that when a behaviour is followed by a pleasant outcome, we are much more likely to repeat said behaviour in order to reap the nice outcome — this is called positive reinforcement [1].
So, rewarding yourself when you meet a weight loss milestone helps to motivate you to continue on the journey. Create those heathy habits, reward yourself for them and you'll continue on with them!
29 weight loss reward ideas
What feels like a reward for one, might not feel like a reward for another.
So, these are suggestions to get your reward juices flowing — you might like to pick something directly off this list or it might inspire you to do something that's been on your list to buy or try.
We want to inspire you to come up with your own reward system and treat yourself as you achieve your goals because you deserve it.
- Try a new workout class
- Treat yourself to new clothing — need some new tops or time to look at a new pair of jeans? Now is the time
- Schedule a photoshoot to capture your new-found confidence (or snap regular selfies to document your journey and use to reflect on)
- Take the time to investigate a new route for your walks to help change up your exercise
- Go for a massage or facial at your favourite spa
- Book a session with a personal trainer to help you refine and maximise your workouts — one session might help level up your exercise routine, while also keeping you motivated
- Get a mani-pedi at your local beauty salon, or treat yourself to a new nail polish colour and paint your nails
- Pick up some fancy tea or coffee that you've had your eye on
- Invest in a fitness tracker to dive deeper into your health data
- Experiment with a new haircut
- Buy yourself a new water bottle
- Still using the same headphones you've had for eternity? Look at buying a new pair of headphones to wear for your workouts
- Experiment with a new recipe that requires time and focus
- Take a day to yourself and walk through a museum or art gallery
- Grab a new book and spend time diving into a different world
- Have an at-home spa day using the skincare products you already have (we often rush through our skincare routine, take time to treat yourself to a pampering session)
- Level up your workout gear with new activewear
- Go dancing with friends or organise an at-home boogie
- Buy yourself a new belt to add a fun accessory to your outfits
- Treat yourself to your favourite candle
- Put aside time to create a new playlist for your workouts
- Take a cooking class and learn how to make a new dish
- Reward yourself with new pyjamas
- Buy yourself a bunch of flowers to brighten up your home — you deserve it!
- Write yourself a letter for your future self to read (you might like to take the time to reflect on how far you've come, or create something for you to read if you're experiencing a hard time on your weight loss journey)
- Grab a new body cream or oil and take the time to moisturise
- Is it time to refresh your underwear drawer? Buy some nice new knickers that make you feel good
- Trial a gym membership — it's easy to feel stagnant if you're doing the same workouts and trialling a gym membership might help remedy this
- Enlist cooking help in the form of a healthy meal service — treat yourself to a few days off cooking
Weight loss progress can feel slow, so plotting small moments of reward and joy along the way will help. And, if you feel like you need a bit more assistance on the journey, you might like to consider Juniper.
Our Weight Reset Programme sets you up for life by helping you lose weight with breakthrough medications (for up to 20% body weight loss) and step-by-step coaching and 1:1 support from dietitians and nutritionists to help you keep it off.
Juniper is the only medicated weight loss programme focused on fat loss and muscle maintenance. This is vital for burning calories, keeping metabolism high, and preventing weight regain.
Our app provides easy step-by-step goals around nutrition and movement, designed to support your muscle mass on the medication. We'll set you up for weight loss success and be there with you every step of the way.
Image credit: Pexels/RDNE Stock project
“I was always on this yo-yo diet scenario, which never worked. I always just felt hungry throughout the dieting process and it actually kinda gets you down”
“Juniper has been my weight loss miracle, we all need help on our weight loss journey, especially because it gets harder the longer it goes on.”
“Juniper's just given me my confidence back. That's what my friends are saying, “You've got your smile back, you've got your sparkle back,” which I know I'd lost.”
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