5 Non-Food Ways to Reward Yourself
We've all been there. You put in a hardcore workout at the gym and an hour or two later, your stomach starts to rumble. It's time to eat and you think to yourself, "Hey, I just worked out, I can totally binge on something yummy!" This results in a fast food run or a big ol' bowl of ice cream... then the regret starts to sink in. Consistently rewarding yourself with fatty or sugary food counteracts the hard work you put in at the gym. So, how do you stop turning to food for comfort? The answer is simple: find something rewarding that isn't related to food.
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Books
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Do you have a book that you've been dying to read? Or maybe you've been mulling over a magazine subscription for some time? Picking out a new book or magazine is a healthy and relatively inexpensive way to reward yourself. Plus, reading is awesome for your brain! Curl up on the couch after a hard workout and get lost in a good read.
Spa Day
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A manicure or pedicure can be truly rewarding. This isn’t exclusive to women either! Nothing feels better than having dirt and dead skin scraped away, leaving your hands and feet feeling silky smooth and rejuvenated.
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Massage
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Leave it to the professionals to help you reduce stress, pain and muscle tension with a soothing massage. Not only does massage therapy help improve flexibility, but it also plays a key factor in helping your muscles heal. We bet you'll feel like a million bucks after getting tired/achy spots massaged out that have been bothering you for months!
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New Scent
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A new fragrance is a great way to lift your spirits and make you feel like a brand new person. Treat yourself to either a new bottle of your favorite scent or experiment with something new.
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Headphones
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Headphones are a must-have accessory for a lot of athletes. How else can you rock out to your favorite jams on repeat? Upgrade to a new pair when you reach your fitness goal for the month.
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Don't reward yourself too often! Set predetermined milestones ahead of time. This will add extra motivation to your workouts.