Non-Food and Cheap Rewards

I am struggling like nothing else with losing weight. I know for a fact that it is consuming too many calories.  I just started working out again after a recent illness.  I am journaling my food and would like to start a non-food reward system that is CHEAP (preferably no cost) for days I stay within my calorie range and consume all my protein and water. 

Any ideas about non-food rewards that are chea***** cost?

Put a dollar in a bowl each successful day and at the end of the month get a pedicure.

Or a massage.

I LOVE THE JAR IDEA!!!

One coin the jar today....and 1/2 lb down. This is THE best day ever!!!

Do you have any interests or hobbies?  Things that you like to do?

I love to scrapbook

I encourage you to create a plan of rewards you can look forward to.  Example - when you've lost five pounds, you'll reward yourself with some iTunes songs or buy a new app.  At 10 pounds, you'll reward yourself by going to a movie at a theater with a loved one.  Progress by planning a reward every five pounds.  At 20, make the reward bigger such as subscribe to a magazine that interests you such as a health and fitness one (motivation to keep going)....many subscriptions are under $10-$20.  

For me, losing regain, I've put $1 in a clear jar.  For every day that I've stayed on track, I put in $1.  The clear jar helps because it is a visual cue of the momentum you have due to all the green in that jar.  If I go off track, I will donate it or give to one of my teenage sons (which I don't want to do LOL!).  If $1 is too much every day, put in a quarter or however much you want to set it up.  Promise yourself when you've been on track for a certain amount of days that you'll go do or buy something you really want.

Journaling your food really helps.  If I don't want to have to log it, I'm more apt not to eat it.  

You could also put post-it notes reminders or motivators wherever you go - on the refrigerator, bathroom mirror on the side of your computer.  Remember why you had weight loss surgery.  Put up pictures of yourself before you had surgery as a reminder.  One of the ones I've used before is Food is temporary, Joy from losing weight and gaining health is long-lasting.  

Tell yourself as many times as you need to - "I can do this!" because you can!

I agree that the jar idea  (with quarters) is a good idea.  I have been journaling my food and you are absolutely right, it definitely makes a difference. 

A bubble bath. A good book you only read a chapter of if you stay within goal. A cup of your favorite tea (not technically non-food, but low cal). A backrub from a shiatsu massager or your significant other. A good TV show on Netflix with a few back seasons so you can watch an episode every night you're within range.