Motivation & Rewards for Healthy Living

Keeping myself motivated towards healthy living choices is proving to be a challenge.

Some things come fairly easy. Increasing whole grains? No problem. Eating more fruits and vegetables? Done. Drinking more water? I’ve got it covered. But getting in more steps in my day? Ugh.

Lately, I’ve been using something that is motivating me —  and the best part? It’s rewarding me for my healthy choices.

Walgreens have a new program called Steps with Balance Rewards. I use it on the Walgreens app (available for iPhone, Android, and Blackberry), but it can also be used on their website. You can also use it with the help of devices like Fitbit, BodyMedia, or Withings.

The way it works is simple: create healthy goals for yourself  and be rewarded for them. On the Walgreens app, just click on the Steps icon. In the next screen, you create goals — you can make goals for walking, running, being active (such as if you have another activity you like to participate in), and weight.

My main physical activity is walking, so I set a walking goal. The app gives you suggested goals, but if these don’t work for you, just select “custom” and set your own goal. I didn’t feel comfortable setting a goal of 6,000 or 10,000 steps at first, so I set a custom goal of 3,000 steps for the first two weeks. I figured this would be a slight challenge, but also something I could achieve.

Each day, it’s simple to enter your activity. You just add the activity and if you do more (or less) than your goal, you are able to enter that too.

Now you might be wondering where the reward part comes in. Well, with the Balance Rewards program at Walgreens, you can earn points for meeting your goals.  You’ll get 250 points when you log your first goal, 20 points for every mile you run or walk, and 20 points for daily weight management.

Note: There is also lots of other ways to earn points, such as shopping at Walgreens & filling prescriptions, so be sure to check the Points & Savings section of their website. You can see photos from my recent Walgreens shopping trip HERE.

Right now I have earned 3,120 points, which is a combination of points for a few purchases I have made, plus points for meeting my daily activity goals.

Once I hit 5,000 points, I will be able to redeem it for $5 off a purchase at Walgreens. However, I’ve decided to save up my points to the 40,000 mark and earn a $50 reward. I will then use my points towards a reward for myself for meeting my goals towards healthy living.

I’m seriously considering using my reward towards a FitBit tracker — if I can hold out for one until I reach the 40,000 level (I *really, really* want one). If I can’t wait, another thing I would like is a nice perfume. I’ve been using the same ones for a long while and would like to try something new with my new healthier me.

Using the Steps with Balance Rewards is proving to be a fun way for me get moving and I’m actually looking forward each day to logging my steps! If you could use some motivation and/or want to earn rewards for healthy choice, I encourage you to sign up too — just download the Walgreens app or sign up on their Steps with Balance Rewards website.

Step Up To Win!

Right now  through May 31st, Walgreens has a Step Up To Win Sweepstakes that you’ll want to be sure to enter. There are daily instant win prizes and a grand prize of a trip to The Biggest Loser resort of the winner’s choice (Chicago, Utah, Malibu, Niagara, NY).

Check out some of the awesome daily prizes that will be available from April 23 – 29nd: Walgreens Gift Cards, Fiber One products, Withings WS-30 Scale, Brita Pitchers,  Fitbit Zip, and Dr. Scholl’s Insoles. {You know I’ve got my eye on the fitbit!}

For more great blogger posts, check out the Aisle Share FUN page

Sponsored Post Disclosure: I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias®  and Walgreens #cbias #SocialFabric #BalanceRewards