Yesterday, I told my daughter I lost more weight when we were competing.  We had a chart online we could update and we would earn “stars” (points) when we accomplished certain things during each day.  For example, exercising for 30 minutes got a star, each of us eating within our personal calorie goal got a star, drinking enough water got a star, avoiding gluten got a star.  For each day we could each earn 4 stars.  After a month, we would see who had earned the most stars and they would get a prize from the other one.

That worked very well for a couple months, then we realized if we are not equally motivated the race becomes too lopsided.  I lost 18 lbs and she lost 10.  I was intense and strict and she was dealing with a family of 6 and didn’t have the energy to be so strict.  I didn’t want to get too much ahead because much of my motivation was to help her reach her goals, more than I cared for my goals, so I slacked off, waiting for her.

Competition can work very well if at least two of the participants are serious about it.

I decided I will compete with myself, and reward myself.  When I was competing with my daughter we decided together what daily goals would earn stars, but alone I am setting up different goals.  Now I get a point for getting enough rest (which for me with my nerve condition is 12 hours a night), doing things that bring me joy instead of stress, drinking enough water, exercising, and staying within my calorie goals.

Being a stress eater, a depressed eater, a bored eater, and a tired eater, I believe these new daily goals of rest and happy activities for stars will have a positive effect on my weight loss efforts.

I also set up a place where my sisters and daughters and I can post images of clothing we like.  Constant reinforcement of rewards will be helpful as well.

Also, of course, reevaluating my weight loss motivations through focusing is helping me recognize and let go of negative, self sabotaging roadblocks as well.  Click here for more on focusing when it comes to motivation and self sabotage.