“Believe me, the reward is not so great without the struggle.” Wilma Rudolph

The problem is… Everyone gets rewarded! Why?

Yes, I am one of those parents. I believe not all kids need a trophy, not all runners need a finishers medal, and not all participants need a ribbon. Why can’t the reward of an accomplishment be having it done?

I’m pretty sure an alcoholic doesn’t reward himself with a shot of whiskey for being clean so many days of sobriety. A drug addict doesn’t fill a syringe to shoot up after being clean a few days. A porn addict doesn’t get to watch a marathon of flicks after giving it up.

But yet, a food addict rewards themselves with food when they have been clean eating for a couple of days. What is wrong with this picture? Your journey should be your reward. You haven’t learned one thing. Food is your addiction. You feed it with all aspects of life. You’re trying to have a healthier life and your rewarding yourself with the same foods that have gotten you in to this predicament.

We fall short of knowledge and how to achieve our goal because we only focus on the end result. The end result is not your reward. Listen to your body. Learn your body. Love your body.

We are so backwards.

It’s a fact. Food temptations are everywhere. Again, you feel you need rewarded for going to the gym 3 days in a row and eating better than normal, so what do you do? You indulge in the one habit that is keeping you from and setting you back from your progress.

“STRONG MIND. STRONG BODY”

Those four words do not get any stronger. At what point, does your mind start fighting for you?

About 15 years ago, I was eaten up with the triathlon bug. There was a group of us (about 6-8) car-pooling every weekend to a race. From LA., FL., MS., TX., NY., WI., and everywhere in between, the cars were piled high with bikes and gear, hotel rooms cheaper than race fees, no cares in the world, but one thing was for sure… These athletes loved to eat.

Pre-race, the night before, we carb loaded. If you reach over to touch my bread or dessert, I will stab you. Morning of, we would wake up 2 hours prior to go time. It was oatmeal, bananas, eggs, bagels, peanut butter, and coffee to get our “system” flushed out. During race, we fueled more with Gu, electrolytes, Endurox, and Carbo Pro to get us to the finish line. Those shoes crossed that line, you hit that stop button on your watch, get your medal, and head to the beer wagon. It was there where you could also find jambalaya, burgers, cookies, oranges, and lots of other goodies. This was not the end.

Let’s load the truck and head home. Boy, was that the smelliest ride home ever? Phew! It would never fail. We would stop for Mexican and Marble Slab. True story… We ate again. Why? Because we “deserved” it of course.

Can we stop here and put this in to perspective? A race took each of us less than 2 hours to complete. We basically consumed triple the calories of what we were burning in the duration of the triathlon. HOLY COW

Our reward was over eating. We weren’t hungry or maybe we just didn’t know any better back then. You see how I just made that excuse. I knew better. I just didn’t stop it.

I look back on those days and think, if I knew then what I knew now. I would have been leaner, lighter, faster and just all in all a better athlete.

If I would have rewarded myself with upgrades to my tri-bike instead of food, I would have a one hell of a bicycle right now.

There is no reward in terms of food that I would take over my health.

It’s not easy. I’m sorry. I wish it were. The fact is good things don’t come to those who wait. Good things come to those who work their ass off and never give up. Post that on your fridge.

Here’s a thought. Make a list of some things you may want. Some examples could be mani/pedi, Girls Night Out, Spa Day, new shoes, vacation day from work, personal trainer session, new workout clothes, etc. Get ready to earn these things.

Come up with a reward system for yourself. Assign a point or points to your healthy actions:

Example:

1 point going to gym

1 point no sweets

1 point no alcohol

2 points drinking ½ your body weight in ounces

2 points staying on your nutrition journey for the day

Allot your “Wish List” a number between 10-30 based on how you rank them. Remember, you want to earn this. Start earning those rewards the right way. It is time to overcome FEAR – Face Everything and Rise. It’s your choice.

I can talk to you until I am blue in the face but if you’re not ready to hear what I have to say, I’m wasting your time and mine.   To all of those that have walked in my office and walked out without accepting the validity in our conversation, shame on you and me. I will jump through hoops to help you with all your needs and habits. I just can’t do it without you.

The fact that you aren’t where you want to be should be motivation enough to break old habits.

Stop making excuses. Stop letting yourself down. Find your worth. Find your purpose. Find your joy.

Watch what Sandra Bullock has to say about this – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58qRefw3i6E

HAVE A STRONG DAY!

Mitzi