To tell you the truth, for me, weight loss itself is its own reward. The desire of my heart is to lose the excess pounds I carry around with me. I want to be healthy; I don’t want to ever be at such high risk for diabetes again; I want to be able to shop for stylish clothes in regular sizes offered in normal department stores; and yes, I do want to look better. As I get nearer to those things, I get so excited. That is what I want! And yet, I have come to see that I think there are some congratulations in order. 

I am working very, very hard at this. For the most part, South Beach doesn’t seem that hard. But when I go out to eat, or eat with my family, I realize all the sacrifices I have to make. And I do continue to make them and I understand why they are necessary, but it still hurts not to be able to have what’s on the table. And thus, for my abstinence in those situations and for sticking to my guns when I really don’t want to: I will give myself rewards.

The Rewards Themselves

(ACHIEVED: post here) 191 lbs (Obese to Overweight): This one depends on a couple of things. Hubbo and I are going to a wedding on July 18th. If I am able to get to 191 lbs before that date, I will get a new dress to wear to the wedding. If I reach it after that date, I will get this cute new pair of gladiator sandals. Edit: Ok, since that pair is no longer for sale… These will do.

181.5 lbs (20% my body weight lost!): A Brown Sugar Body Scrub at our favorite local spa, The Back Porch.

170 lbs (Less than I have weighed since 1999): If I hit this mark before September 3rd, again, a new dress is in order. We are going to an “event” the following weekend where I will need to wear something formal. If I hit this mark afterward, most likely I will have had to get a new dress for the formal thing anyway. Also, there really wouldn’t be anywhere for me to wear it afterward. Thus, a new handbag will be the prize. I would really love something from Dooney & Bourke’s signature line, but they are pretty pricey – would probably echo the cost of the dress!

More to come!