I had an interesting experience recently. I attended the fall rally of central Florida TOPS Clubs where many members received special recognition for their losses over the past year.
I don’t normally put much stock in this type of thing, but I cannot deny that the rally gave me some extra motivation! I typically feel that recognition is kind of corny and a little over the top. I think that’s part of my background, to minimize my achievements because some people in my past seemed to exaggerate them, making me feel embarrassed.
But with TOPS Club, there’s a feeling of camaraderie – we are all in this together, even though we are unique individuals. No, I didn’t get a trophy, but I did get a pretty little charm and a silk flower. It’s nice to get little trinkets, even though they’re not amazing rewards!
Of course, I tried to find studies about weight loss and being recognized for your achievements. Mainly I found info on facial recognition software when searching this topic 😂 So I don’t have direct scientific evidence for this one!
However, I did read that non-food incentives are beneficial for encouraging weight loss (1). Financial rewards for exercise among college students were successfully used to incentivize activity (2). Love the title of the paper, to be published next year in Psychology of Sport & Exercise: Less stick more carrot? Increasing the uptake of deposit contract financial incentives for physical activity: A randomized controlled trial (2).
Let’s remember to reward ourselves on a regular basis as we maintain our healthy weight. Maintenance is just as important as weight loss, or perhaps even more so. Because there are no longer exciting milestones, it’s essential to recognize our on-going achievements to keep our motivation high!
(1). https://www.premierintegrative.com/blog/good-weight-loss-incentives-for-long-term-success
(2). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1469029223001565
Maintain Weight Loss 
I have problems with self rewards. The truth is at this stage of my life. If there’s something that I want I just get it, I don’t postpone it or wait for someone else to give it to me. So trying to find a self reward for losing or maintaining weight or anything else seems like gameplaying for me. Of course I haven’t been successful in losing weight and keeping it off.
I’m working with a nutritionist to help manage my diabetes, which has been kind of crazy lately. The side effect is that I am losing a pound or two. As soon as we get the diabetes under better control will address the weight. I’m passed my surgeries now, so I’ll be going back to the gym very soon and that might help as well, and additionally, it’s getting cooler here at in the evenings and so maybe we can do longer walks. I really appreciate your column and your support. Love you girl.
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Thank you, Peggy. Love you too! If you come up with any other ideas, please let me know. Good luck with the diabetes!
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