In the process of losing weight, rewards are an important incentive for keeping yourself motivated. That, however, begs the question: what do you reward yourself with? The answer is almost as important as your other weight loss efforts. Many reward themselves with food—which can contradict their goals, especially if that food is of the oily and high-calorie variety. As much as 13% of Americans aged 50 to 80 have unhealthy relationships with processed foods due to biological factors and deeply ingrained behaviors. Knowing this, it’s best to avoid food as a reward as it can easily derail your progress.
Choosing the right reward is an essential component for spurring your motivation for weight loss. It affects your momentum and your likelihood of losing and sustaining weight healthily. You must pick a reward that supports your goals—something you can actively look forward to without compromising your weight loss journey. One of the best activities that fit this principle is a spa day.
Here are four reasons spa days are a great non-food reward for weight loss.
It helps with exercise recovery
A recovery period is a must when you’re exercising to lose weight. This will give your body time to repair and build muscle, reinforce itself to prevent injuries, and energize your new efforts. Heading to the spa during this period will help you relax and rejuvenate. Treatments like massage therapy can soothe your aching muscles, improve your blood circulation, and even release serotonin, the happy hormone. When your body needs rest, the spa is
the perfect retreat.
It gives you better sleep
A visit to the spa can improve the quality of your sleep. Spa treatments like meditation and aromatherapy can banish the mental stress that might prevent you from sleeping well. Better sleep, in turn, has several weight loss benefits, including regulating your hunger cravings and improving your
metabolism.
It can supplement your weight loss
If you want to be proactive with your weight loss, you can perform active recovery exercises. This is the practice of doing low-intensity exercises while recuperating from more intense ones. This doesn’t remove the necessity for more passive periods. However, active recovery can assist you in detoxifying your body and improve your exercise performance overall. You can do this in the spa by using their swim spa units. The buoyancy of the water will grant relief to your bones and joints, while training in the water utilizes your major muscle groups. You can perform simple drills like aqua jogging or knee tucks. Even without these extra exertions, spa visits can supplement your weight loss efforts. Just soaking in a hot tub can help you lose weight since the moving water will gradually stimulate your muscles.
It can motivate you further
A trip to the spa can be a confidence booster. In the aftermath, your body will be entirely at ease, and your skin will have a healthy glow—especially if you combine it with an invigorating facial treatment. You’ll be able to see with your own eyes that your health and appearance are improving, which might be the lift you need to push yourself in tomorrow’s workout. Working on your weight loss goals isn’t just about exercise and diet—it also means choosing the proper reward, and a spa day can be the perfect solution.