Diet Rewards

For a dieter, rewarding yourself with food is sabotage. You have probably been salivating over that chimichanga or cheese cake that you plan to chow down after your reach your first weight loss goal.

But wait! Food is not a reward. Repeat this a few times.

You lost five pounds. Good job. You are definitely due a reward. But what should it be if not food? How about that new DVD set you've been wanting? No. Watching TV is sedentary. A weekend in wine country? No. Too much food and drink and laying about. Tickets to the football game? No. The game is about beer, fast food, sitting and watching. Diet saboteurs all.

Here are some ideas for rewards when you are dieting, rewards that are special, perhaps extravagant, but will not sabotage a weight-loss diet:

• A new tennis racket
• Stylish exercise clothes
• A yoga retreat
• Roller blades
• Good running shoes
• Lessons in a physical activity
• A bicycle
• A juicer
• Camping or hiking gear
• Membership in a gym or sports club
• An exercise video
• Music: for serenity, workout, dancing
• A pedicure
• Personal trainer/instructor time
• Skis
• A boogie board
• Tickets to an inspirational lecture or show
• A trek up Annapurna

OK, maybe that last one is a bit much, but you get the idea. These are rewards that support dieting activities.