Are You Rewarding Yourself With Food?

​We all have traditions or habits when it comes to food. There are the holidays and birthdays to celebrate, the new job, promotion or salary increase, good grades, graduations…where does it end? It won’t unless you change the way you reward your accomplishments and here are some ideas on how.
 
Marked something of your to-do list? Treat yourself to something indulgent that you always dream about but never do. Schedule a massage or a facial at your local spa. Not in the budget? Set aside some time for a warm bath, at-home facemask, and your favorite music or book.
 
Got that promotion you’ve been working towards? Plan a vacation or weekend trip to celebrate. You won’t get that immediate satisfaction but studies show that the anticipation of a trip is often as good as or better than the actual trip!
 
Going on a shopping spree can satisfy that need to celebrate right now. Head to the mall or your favorite online store and purchase the new gadget, fashion accessory or shoes you’ve been daydreaming about.
 
Allow yourself to enjoy some “me time”. If you’ve accomplished something you feel is worth celebrating then schedule some time alone to reflect on your accomplishment doing what ever it is YOU love to do.
 
Separating food from reward is your first step in taking control of your eating habits and establishing a healthy view of what food can actually do for you. Eating a balanced diet of healthy fats, protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables will increase your lust for life because, frankly, you’ll just feel that much better. You’ll have the energy to enjoy that vacation you’ve scheduled. You’ll increase the longevity of your life to longer enjoy time with your family and friends. You’ll have a more honest relationship with food, so when there is that inevitable time to celebrate with food you’ll be able to indulge without the guilt.
 
Rewarding yourself with fun things to do rather than food will help you to meet your health goals, feel less guilty about the food indulgences you can’t avoid, and will lead to that person that you’ve set out to be this year.