It's Tattoo Time!

I am getting my very first tattoo tomorrow....AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I am such a pansy when it comes to pain yet I am about to inflict a large amount of pain on myself intentionally. What is wrong with me??

Alright so one big thing I learned from Weight Watchers (one of the numerous times that I went through the program) was that you need to reward your successes. Usually people that are any amount of overweight will often think to reward themselves by treating themselves to a night out at a favorite restaurant or ordering some yummy food from a local take out place. If weight loss is your end result, this reward system won't work. We need to think of ways to reward our hard work things other than with food.

I want this time to be the last time that I go on a massive diet and have a ton of weight to lose. I spent a lot of time really reflecting on what I wanted as my rewards and here is what I came up with:
~ My husband told me that when I lost 25 lbs, he would buy me a nice antique charm bracelet. We have been given charms from our childhood and I would like to get one where we can start to build it as our relationship grows and we achieve certain accomplishments.
~ I said that when I went under the 200 lb mark, I was going to get myself a tattoo.
~ And together my hubby and I decided that when we hit our goal weights, we would plan a trip to visit friends in Phoenix, AZ. We have been trying to figure out when and how to get out there so now we were making it our goal to go on that trip!

Okay so now let's check on the status of each of these goals. I earned my charm bracelet a while ago, but I have not found the right one yet. I am still looking. It is hard to do because this is something that I want to look at in person, try it on, fiddle with it - but most jewelry stores don't carry these types anymore thanks to Pandora charm bracelets.

I earned my tattoo about a month ago but the tattoo artist at Lark Tattoo was not available on a Saturday until tomorrow. (YIKES! Have I mentioned that I am so nervous about the pain??) It's going to be exciting though because this is something my brother and I are doing together. He has wanted to get a tattoo for a while now and I told him to wait for me. Meeting that goal wasn't looking promising for a long time so he gave me until summer or else he was going to get one without me. Medifast helped me meet this goal. I picked a design with a lot of family meaning and memories behind it. I plan to get it on the top of my right foot. And while I am nervous and afraid, I am also very excited. I worked hard for this tattoo. I earned it. I am proud of myself.

I am working hard for the Phoenix trip. I have a goal in mind but it is a range rather than one set number. At most, I have 36 lbs until I meet that goal. I am hoping to stay focused and meet that final goal by the beginning of summer time. I would like to take the summer to maintenance off of the program.

So there you have it. Those are the goals I have set for myself and the progress that I have made on those goals. I do have to say that since I was going to have a month lag time in earning and getting the tattoo, I did treat myself to a manicure and pedicure as soon as I met the goal. Those are always a great reward!

I am thinking that I need to set up another small goal in between now and the final goal. I have been pondering a massage or another mani/pedi. I think I like the massage idea. Okay, I will buy myself a massage when I am halfway between earning the tattoo and the absolute smallest number I have set for myself. YAY! Now I am VERY excited.

I will make a side note that I do plan on eating off plan once this weekend. Since my brother is coming into town and we are getting our tattoo on Lark St. we have to introduce brother to Bomber's Burrito Bar! That is just a must! I plan to take a look at the menu and see if I could order a smaller size meal (maybe they have a kids menu) just so that I can get the taste of Bomber's but not ruin my entire progress!

Stay tuned for pictures of the tattoo!