Do you have a tendency to reward yourself with food? Our guest PT Blogger, Carly Yue, explains why this isn’t the best way to go about things… how-to-stop-using-food-as-a-reward Many of us use food as a reward, though whilst it might seem like an innocent and harmless way to celebrate your success, it can actually be extremely unhelpful and can make us view eating healthily as a ‘chore’ or ‘punishment’ that deserves a reward. Put simply, bribing yourself with junk food to reward yourself for something such as weight loss, a streak of clean eating or a new fitness achievement, is most definitely not the key to long-term healthy habits. That said, treating yourself with food is not the be all and end all! Here are some alternative ideas to give yourself a metaphorical pat on the back... Give yourself ½ hour to indulge This might be a nap, reading a book, watching rubbish TV or perhaps even just staring at a wall! Don't feel guilty about this “me” time. Enjoy it. Pamper yourself Have a manicure/pedicure, buy a new body scrub, have a bubble bath, go for a massage or put a treatment on your hair. Whatever makes you feel good, do it. Make memories Look for new experiences such as going for a walk in a new park, heading out for a drive in the countryside, visiting a museum or going swimming. An enjoyable trip out with family or friends is largely satisfying in comparison to a slice of cake, which no doubt will leave you riddled with guilt. Invest in something That could be new workout clothes, something for the kitchen that helps with food prep, a PT session, a new tub of protein or gym equipment such as Kettlebells to use at home. Do something you couldn't/wouldn't do before Wear the new jeans, run a 5K, have a photo taken or shop somewhere you've previously avoided. Feel proud of your accomplishments! Have a little luxury What chores do you hate? Get your car valeted, pay someone to do your ironing for the week, get a cleaner to do your bathrooms, head out for a healthy meal instead of cooking, or perhaps even get your food shop delivered. You might not be able to afford this all the time, but that's why it's a treat, and it'll cost no more than a takeaway pizza and bottle of wine! Don’t use unhealthy food to reward yourself for making those initial healthy choices or working hard, because if you think about it, that defeats the point! Instead, reward yourself with something that actually adds to your life. That kind of reward will get you closer to being the person you want to be, and it feels far better in the long run! [caption id="attachment_641" align="aligncenter" width="150"]Carly Tierney Personal Trainer Guest post by PT & Media Fitness Expert Carly Yue.[/caption]