It's so easy to reward ourselves with food, snacks ... a splurge. You killed that workout ... so why not go blow 1,500 calories at a fast food joint? Only later that you feel stuffed, lazy and totally uncomfortable in your skin. I'm all for eating healthy 80% of the time and the rest of the time treating yourself to the good stuff. Life should be experienced in moderation. But we shouldn't be rewarding ourselves with food.

If you are setting short-term and long-term goals for yourself, you should also be rewarding yourself for your accomplishments. These rewards can be related to your health and wellness goals or a total (non-food) splurge that you wouldn't typically allow yourself to enjoy (a massage, a name brand item, a monthly housecleaning).

Here are forty ideas for rewarding yourself each time you reach those goals you've set for yourself. Get out your calendar and define one week, four week, eight week and twelve week goals for yourself. Pencil in a small reward for yourself at each interval to keep the momentum going. Start small and gradually build to bigger goals and bigger rewards.

  1. Nail polish
  2. New pair of smaller pants
  3. Earrings
  4. Book
  5. Magazine subscription
  6. Pretty journal or diary
  7. Massage
  8. Registration for a fitness class
  9. Date night
  10. Board game
  11. Bookmark
  12. New sports bra
  13. New haircut
  14. House cleaner
  15. Professional photo shoot/before & after photos
  16. Lipstick
  17. New water glass
  18. New workout gear
  19. Flowers
  20. Fitness headband
  21. Running shoes
  22. Vacation day
  23. Sunglasses
  24. Professional development
  25. Chiropractic appointment
  26. Car wash/car detailing
  27. Mani/pedi
  28. Coffee mug
  29. Girls night out
  30. Pair of running socks
  31. Race registration
  32. Hire a health/wellness coach
  33. Essential oils
  34. New headphones
  35. Spa treatment
  36. Date night with your spouse
  37. New CD or iTunes
  38. 30 minutes of quiet time
  39. Download a new fitness app
  40. A new perfume