What's your reward?

No, we're not talking about bribery.

A bribe is really something you get when you do something to make someone else happy.

A reward is something you get when you do something that makes you happy.

As a parent, you've probably bribed your kids into good behavior – or seen it at the grocery store. "If you're good, I'll let you pick out a candy bar at the checkout." (Why not offer an apple after they're paid for? But that's a different issue.)

As an adult, you can reward yourself for doing your exercise every day, for drinking enough water, for eating 5 servings of vegetables each day, for dropping a dress size. Choose a reward that will motivate you to do your best. Here are some we love:

Jewelry * The good stuff. Maybe a charm bracelet with a charm for every reasonable increment (10 pounds, or a dress size, or every half-marathon, or something like that).

Stars * On the calendar, yes. For every day of exercise, give yourself a gold star. It's motivating to see them add up through the month.

Tickets * Choose a play or concert or movie premiere you want to see, but maybe can't quite justify. Reward yourself by enjoying the event. If you miss your goal, give them away. (No, we're not kidding.)

Sporting goods * If you want some new equipment, put it out there as a reward. This could be a new or new-to-you bicycle, treadmill, kayak, golf clubs, tennis racquet, or … whatever you want.

Membership or Lessons * If you've been working out at home, a gym membership might be the perfect reward. Dance lessons or a fitness class or a cooking class (healthy cooking!) are other options. Or maybe you want to learn about meditation or flower essences or making soap. Maybe you want to learn a foreign language or how to play an instrument. If it's interesting to you, learn it as a reward.

Travel * Whether it's a weekend in a downtown hotel or a week in your dream destination, reward yourself with a trip to get away from it all.

Spa * From a manicure to a massage to a full day of treatments, a spa is a delicious reward for a busy person.