Ways to motivate yourself for weight loss

I've been trying to think of the different ways that I can set myself up for success in my weight loss goals.

The first thing I thought of was that I  need a mid length goal that is close enough that I can't dilly dally or put off doing the 'work' and long enough that I can expect dramatic changes in my appearances. I figure that 8 weeks is about right. With this goal, I would need an event that I could focus my energy towards and look forward to getting dressed up and looking good. An event that will happen at a specific date and that I cannot keep pushing back.

As luck would have it, my fiance's niece is having her first birthday on the 19th March and so I'm using this as my 'Event'

The second thing I thought of was that I would need to keep myself motivated with smaller, short-term rewards (of the non-food type). With this one,  I am killing two birds with one stone.

 I need to give up diet-coke because it makes me overeat and keeps my feeling tired. So the money that I would normally spend on this habit will go towards fortnightly pedicures at the local nail bar. Ahhhh!!! relaxation, pampering and it will help towards improving my appearance..... The perfect, short term
reward.