What are your non-food "rewards"?

[Bienchen85]

Hi there,
DC is 2 and I've not ever found being a mum easy (even though DH is wonderful) and have gained plenty of weight.
I think intermittent fasting is the way forward for me. When DC is finally asleep after a long day of being a typical toddler and the stress is over, however, my body just screams for chocolate/ sweets as a "reward". Once I start giving in, I cannot stop.
Has anyone found a way to treat themselves in the evenings that is not chocolate or sugar? Something that gives your body the same "well done you, time to relax" feeling?
Thank you.

Magazine, paint your nails, have a bath, a healthy snack you really enjoy (like a smoothie or granola or something I know it’s not super healthy but it’s more nutritious than chocolate). I have lots of snacks like that which I see as a real treat. Other options would be dried apricots, yoghurt covered raisins, natural yoghurt and honey xx

Posh black coffee in a nice mug.

I try and keep my rewards related to my goals, so say, a new sports bra if I don't drink for two weeks, or new runners if I don't backslide on my weight loss for X number of days.

You could make yours a new top of you don't snack for a week, for example

Thank you all, great ideas!

I’m spending some time trying to plan nice new clothes to buy in a few weeks. I’ve also been doing face packs, footner (just waiting for the joys of peeling to come!) tidying up and going to bed early.

I've just started fasting for 14 hours and I'm struggling with exactly the same problem!

I have started buying caffeine free Diet Coke which is helping (I know it's not a healthy choice, but right now it's helping!)
Black coffee sometimes takes the edge off. Or lots of water...

I'll be following this thread!

Fruit tea, fancy coffee or sparkling water are sometimes enough to scratch the itch in the evening.

Otherwise, I distract myself by having a nice bath, reading a book (a physical book rather than my Kindle, so my hands are fully occupied) or taking ages over my skincare routine.

Failing that I just go to bed early, and wake up the next day feeling really smug and well rested!

Buying clothes in smaller dress sizes, new workout wear instead of the baggy stuff I'd been hiding away in, new make-up, fancy toiletries, lovely bubble bath and always using body lotion after baths and showers. I started taking better care of myself as my self confidence returned as I lost weight. Buying plants for the garden is another one.

Flowers, new wax melts for my burner, just lighting a candle, watching corrie, bath salts, a long candle-lit bath, new book (my favourite reward), make-up, therapy- I treated myself to private counselling session once at £50 a pop! Luxury items such as herbal tea, reusable sanitary pads, tasty health foods from Holland and Barrett, jewellery, accessories (rather than new clothes if losing weight quickly), fancy toothpaste.
My next treat is going to be laser hair removal on my face! 😂

Reading a book in the bath.

Fruit tea or sparking water with lime. Ice lolley (ice pole or jubbly).

Also paint nails as it fills time and physically keeps me from eating for a bit.

Excellent advice, thanks everyone. I feel motivated again to tackle these bad habits 💪

Sparkling water, plain ice water or a decaf tea !!!!

I avoid my phone and social media during the day so I get so much enjoyment out of just relaxing with my phone or iPad, sometimes Netflix and a drink . I really look forward to this time !!