Did you know there's a weight limit for kayaking?

OH EM GEE Y'ALL! For the past few days I experienced   Internet connectivity problems. The Internet issues frustrated me to no end, AND now I MUST  tweak my blogging schedule in order to maintain posting consistency.  

Originally,  I planned to churn out 3 post this weekend for next week. And...as of right now, 3 post by the end of today...not gonna happen, especially with my self diagnosed ADD.

So...the other day I received a comment from C of The Evolution of Me. She basically put me on blast in regards to how I reward my weigh loss efforts:-)

Put on blast: to be called out for something, to put someone's personal business or secrets in the spotlight, to be told off in front of a lot of people.

Used in a sentence:
The Weight Watchers receptionist put me on blast. She told everyone my weigh in results! *not a true statement*

I appreciate C for putting me on blast. Her comment made me sit down and reevaluate my weight loss rewards system...or lack there of.

At the beginning of my weight loss adventure, I set small mini short term goals and rewarded myself upon completion. Examples of my mini goals included the following:

• 5% weight loss
• consistent tracking for a set number of days
• working out a set number of days
• 5 lb weight loss increments

In addition to rewarding my mini short term goals, I also celebrated my long term accomplishments:

•  10% weight loss
• 25 lb.
• 50 lb.
• running a 5K

As well as personal rewards I honored myself with, I also received tangible accolades from Weight Watchers.  *shameless WW plug* And one of the reasons why I love WW, (besides the fact that it works)...THE REWARDS. 

So yes, at the beginning of my weight loss adventure I did reward myself.

Truth be told...
I guess...some time ago I stopped rewarding myself. Well, not I guess...I did stop. Why you ask. Lack of funds. In the early days, simple rewards (e.g. mani, pedi, massage, new clothes, etc.) satisfied me. 

But now, those "simple" rewards seem so...mundane.  So..BEEN THERE, DONE THAT! So...I stopped rewarding myself. O, and those mundane rewards... they cost.

So where does my money go? Look folks, I am a single mother of two teenage boys trying to ball on a teacher's salary. Aside from trying to save money for a rainy day, I invest a considerable amount of my extra funds into my kids dancing talents! Check em out!

From experience, I know losing weight requires an abundance of determination and motivation. More often than not, my determination and motivation wane and leave me feeling discouraged and defeated...cue the REWARDS!

Weight loss requires a lifestyle change: eating habits, activity...you know the drill. And from experience, I also know you need A LOT of perseverance to maintain these new healthy lifestyle changes...cue the REWARDS!

Rewards help maintain  motivation and encourages you to keep your eyes on the prize! And as a teacher, I should know better. In the classroom, I sometimes utilize rewards to motivate my students academically and behaviorally. So again, why did I stop rewarding my efforts? Lack of funds!


The rewards I want cost! For the longest time, I allowed my weight to limit my life experiences. Well, now I want to have fun, and I want to reward myself with adventurous escapades: rock climbing,  spa day, tennis lessons, kayaking, etc.


I know what y'all are thinking. But Trina, so many free and fun rewards exist. Okay, like what? Help me out here!


Well ladies and gentlemen, I think I found a way to help myself afford these adventurous escapades...GROUPON and Living Social. I downloaded the Groupon app to my phone a few weeks ago, and daily I receive a Groupon alert. In addition to Groupon, I also receive daily emails from Living Social. 

Getting to the topic at hand...the other day I received a kayaking deal from Groupon. I investigated the deal, which led me to the website...Pinky's Kayak Rentals. As I perused Pinky's page I ran across the age and weight restrictions information. 
 
Did you know there's a kayaking weight restriction? 225 lbs. for single kayaks and 400 lbs. for tandem kayaks.  The thought of a weight limit never occurred to me.


After I finished browsing though Pinky's site I thought to myself, how might a weight loss restriction conversation  play out? Here's my version of an otherwise potentially embarrassing moment.

Guide: Okay, so raise your hand if you exceed the 225 lb. weight limit.

Mortified Patron: *reluctantly raises hand* 


Guide: Alrighty then. Let's see. YOU! *guide points to unsuspecting bystander*

Unsuspecting Bystander: Me?


Guide: Yes, YOU! I need you to partner up with HER!


Unsuspecting Bystander: WHY?


Guide: SHE exceeds the 225 lb kayak weight limit, so it's your lucky day! 


Mortified Patron: *walks away humiliated*


Seriously, I wonder how the kayak guides deal with the weight limit situation? Well...like "they" say, curiosity killed the cat. Sooo...I emailed Pinky and asked.

...waiting with baited breath.


...still waiting for Pinky to respond.


Stay tuned for part 2 of this post...Pinky's response.


Before I wrap up this post I want to thank C for putting me on blast.  I plan to set in motion a new and improved reward system. Maybe my new system will jump-start my recently stalled weight loss.

For now, I need you to do me a favor and help me out. Do you reward your weight loss efforts? How often? Please leave me some examples of your rewards.  Thanks in advance!

By the way, I passed up the kayak offer...it's not in my budget. Maybe next time.