Reward yourself

It's great to get a pat on the back every once in a while. And it's especially needed when you're out of your comfort zone, challenging yourself to improve, nervous about whether you can succeed.

Unfortunately most people are so wrapped up in their own problems they don't give out too many pats on the back so you've got to do it yourself.

Find some ways to reward yourself to pat yourself on the back and encourage yourself when no one else will. Pay more attention to what you do right than what you do wrong.

Make the reward meaningful to you. It doesn't have to be lavish or costly. It could be just settling down to read a good book for a change. Sometimes, the best rewards are those you can't buy.

Small rewards for meeting smaller goals, achieved more often, are more effective than waiting for the bigger rewards that require more work and more time.

By all means celebrate. But don't use food as a reward. Even good food. It's just too risky. Decide how you're going to celebrate reaching your weight loss goal and involve other people. Tell them about it. Plan a celebration that you can anticipate and then keep it within sight all the time.