Let's face it and be realistic. There's not a lot of people who love to exercise. No one likes getting sweaty. Sure, the results pay off, but sometimes you need to be motivated and a great way to motivate yourself is through rewards. Unfortunately, many people turn to food as a reward and that defeats the whole purpose. Instead you want rewards that are fun, but not edible. Here are just five ways to reward yourself for exercising.
A Night of Reading
Many women love to curl up with a good book, but it can be hard to find the time, especially if you're a mother who also works full-time and is using even more of her precious time to exercise. That's why this is such a great reward. If you exercise three times days a week, put everything aside for a few hours at the end of the week and read a good book. This can be very relaxing and very rewarding.
Spa Night
When's the last time you ran a hot bath and enjoyed all those wonderful bath products you've been given? Instead of letting them gather dust, plan a spa night for the end of the week as a reward for exercising three days that week. You could enjoy a bubble bath, give yourself a facial and maybe even talk the hubs into giving you a nice massage.
New Workout Outfit or Shoes
If you love clothes, why not reward yourself with a new workout outfit or a new pair of running shoes? After all, if you're going to be exercising, shouldn't you look good while doing it? This could be a reward for exercising three days a week for two weeks.
Trip to the Movies
Movies have become so expensive. It's not unheard of to pay $17 for a movie ticket. That's why many parents don't take the time to enjoy a movie that is just for them. Instead of watching another boring kid's movie, why not treat yourself to a romantic comedy? Just remember to stay away from the high-fat snacks and sugar-laden sodas.
CD, Book, Video Game, Etc
Last, but not least, reward yourself for working out one to two weeks in a row by buying yourself a new CD, book or video game. It doesn't matter what it is, just as long as it's something around $20-30. This can be a great incentive to workout and you'll really feel like you earned the item when you purchase it.
Rewards work for everyone, even adults. So why not motivate yourself to exercise by rewarding yourself with something fun or relaxing?
