Ruby seeks outside advice, which pits the professionals in her life against one another. And as is Ruby’s style, she leans on her support group of friends to help her sort through the trainer confusion.

Never taking these matters lightly, Ruby did what so many people working to lose weight have to do sometimes – think of herself and her needs. The end result is that Ruby fired her trainers.

“What in the helicopter did I do,” was the Rubyism that came after she attempted to help her nephew get a home tan. Instead, Ruby enlisted the professionals at her tanning salon to help out the kid. She also talks about how tanning is something she often does for herself because it makes her feel thin. That statement is so much more than a superficial fake tan – it’s doing something that you enjoy, for yourself, that helps you keep the goal in mind. It’s a non-food reward for your successes.

Think of what that treat could be for yourself, and use it as motivation to reach your weight loss goals right alongside Ruby!

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Ruby Recap – Season 2 Episode 2

• Buy a new exercise DVD
• Try a new class – if you are walking, try a spin or martial arts class – think outside your comfort zone!
• A new outfit to set off your new shape
• New music for your iPod or MP3 player
• Get a massage. After all, you are working your muscles – isn’t it time to reward them?
• Change your look with a new or different hair style or color, not a complete makeover
• Start a savings account by putting aside a small amount of money for each pound lost – between $1 and $5.  At the end of your weight loss journey, donate that money to your local food bank.
• Do something daring, something you never had the courage to do when you were heavy. What about hang gliding, sky diving, or parasailing ?
• Get a new tattoo or piercing
• Schedule a time to meet with friends in a non-food atmosphere.  Why not catch up while hiking?

What are some of the ways that you have rewarded yourself for all of your hard work?

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

10 Ways to Reward Yourself Without Food

Positive reinforcement is adding something to a situation to encourage an increase in a behavior; it is like rewarding good behavior or a job well done. A positive reinforcer can be anything from verbal or written praise, a new toy or extra time for a favorite activity (like riding a bike) for a child, a special trip to the spa, or a bonus at work. There are different ’schedules’ of reinforcement used in behavioral psychology, reinforcing every time a behavior occurs, after a specific number of occurrences, or randomly.

Positive reinforcement is the method of choice for shaping a child’s behavior and can certainly assist you in making changes and meeting your goals. A reinforcer will only encourage a behavior if it is something enjoyable to the person you are trying to reinforce, whether that is yourself, your child, your partner, or an employee.  Verbal praise is always a good choice because it is free and immediately available. You can use personal affirmations to encourage yourself to increase a behavior; with every stride of your jog, you can remind yourself or all the reasons you are running and how much you have already achieved. Combine personal acknowledgment with affirmations from others by updating your online status message. I have watched many of my friends encourage each other to make improvements by leaving positive comments on their updated status messages about their daily efforts.

For other reinforcers it is important to know what is motivating to the person you are trying to effect, as well as the value behind the behavior. A cookie may be motivating to a child, but how does that fit with encouraging a child to exercise or eat broccoli? My mother was very effective in training me to finish my dinner without complaint by allowing dessert afterward. Unfortunately, she unintentionally paired the completion of a good meal with a desire for something sweet. I have to consciously fight the craving for sweets at the end of most meals. I keep reminding myself that eventually I will retrain myself.

What can you do for yourself, say to yourself, or allow yourself to reward your efforts towards your desired lifestyle change? Be creative, be positive, and achieve!

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Positive Reinforecement Supports Positive Habit Changes