Defragged

When I was a child, if we were good all day we were rewarded with one treat of our choice. My father owned a service station with a mini deli so to a child, the assortment of candy and cookies in the store section were a huge spread. We were all good children. ;)

Now that I think back I wonder if this food reward system might have contributed to the way I think about food now and perhaps played some role in my obesity problem for more than 30 years. If I were a psychologist, I'd probably say it didn't help. Medifast teaches me to eat small frequent meals and to limit my calories which seems to fly in the face of any food reward system.

When I started realizing that a food reward wasn't the best option for me, I had to reprogram my brain to think different about mini goals and reward systems for personal achievements. It's not been an easy path but I'm slowly changing my mindset.

Naturally my next option of a reward would be a material item such as new clothes, appliance, furniture, etc. But then I began to wonder if a materialistic type reward was in effect simply replacing one bad habit of over-eating with another bad habit of over-spending. For me it sure did feel that way.

So I am trying to change my mindset again so that when I reach a mini goal, that instead of rewarding myself with food or cluttering my house with more stuff I likely don't need, I spend my time or money on rewarding myself with an experience like a mini vacation, massage, visit with an old friend I haven't seen in years, etc.

After all, 10 years from now I likely won't remember that gooey doughnut I ate when I reached a specific mini goal. I likely won't remember that cool new outfit I bought that cost $250. But I probably will remember that spa with the full Swedish massage and hot rock treatment I experienced at a plush resort. So in effect every time I think about that massage, I'm encouraging better health for myself and not encouraging over-eating or over-spending.

So far it's working for me, and maybe you'll find it helpful too.