Reflection

Pledge plans.  That is what gave me the idea.  In 8^th grade math, students begin to develop a deeper understanding of linear algebra.  We provide a variety of real-life problems that use linear algebra to make the math more concrete and relevant to their lives.  Ordering T-shirts for sports team, buying trays of muffins from Costco and Pledge Plans for a Walk-A-Thon are among these real-life problems.

The pledge plans vary in dollar amounts to show how the equations can affect the tables, graphs and money raised.  A $5 donation plus $2 per lap would look like, y=2x+5.  We have used supplements like this in class for years, and students connect to these problems fairly quickly.  This last summer I was hiking with a fellow math teacher, Chris Harrison, and we were discussing these supplements and how we could improve upon them.  He asked if anyone at Relay For Life uses pledge plans to raise money, and I knew a few kids that tried it last year with limited success.  He asked if I had considered using pledge plans and I told him that as Event Chair I did not have enough time to walk a lot of laps, so a per lap model would not benefit me much.  This conversation led me to consider variations on the same idea.  $1 per ___?  What could I do that would fill in this blank?

I have season tickets to Husky Football with a group of friends, and we tailgate with The Dawg Sled.  Two good friends, Matt and Erin, had recently begun losing weight by using myfitnesspal and the P90 videos.  They were looking great and became the topic of a few tailgate conversations.  These conversations became awkward for my friends.  My keen observation skills allowed me to see that some of them were trying to tactfully tell me that I needed to do something about my weight.  They tried to delicately tell me that my weight was out of control.  That must not have been easy for you guys, but I thank you!

Discussing the pledge plan supplements and being reminded that I was too many tons-of-fun, got me thinking about combining these two goals.  I threw the idea out to a few folks, and it was well received.  We discussed the parameters of such a fundraiser/life-change.  Would I ask for fifty-cents per pound, $1 per pound or $2 per pound?  It was suggested that I make the minimum $1, and then let people decide if they wanted to pledge more, but I should not restrict people’s generosity. 

The idea was hatched, and began writing my initial email.  It was humbling to write about my failure to be even remotely healthy.  I was embarrassed to allow so many people into my sad state, but I told myself, “This can’t be any more embarrassing than walking around at this weight.”  I poured a lot into that email, and I read it over several times trying to make sure I did not misrepresent my intentions.  I wanted to be honest about my goals, and what I was asking in return.

The response was incredible!  As the number of people willing to sponsor my weight-loss climbed over 25, 50, 100 and finally ending at 126 people, I felt knots in my stomach.  I felt a weight on my shoulders that I had never felt.  For my entire life, if I was fat, I felt like I was only letting myself down.  Now I felt that if I stayed fat, I would be letting 126 people down.  I am people pleaser.  That is my personality type.  The thought of letting down 126 people scared me, and that was my initial motivation.  I changed my eating habits and started walking because I did not want to fail with so many people behind me. 

As time progressed and the weight started coming off, things changed.  My clothes started to fit better, then they were too big, then I pulled out my old smaller clothes, and they started to be too big.  I shopped at Value Village for sizes I had not fit in 7-8 years, and now they fit. Now those are too big.  My cholesterol dropped 75 points!  I had a hop in my step that I have not had in 10 years.  My shoes fit better, my car seemed bigger, my golf swing is smoother, I can walk up a flight of stairs without feeling winded, I sweat less and I am happier.

My view of this whole thing switched.  My driving force started with fundraising and being a better role model for my students, then it was not to embarrass myself with 126 people on board, and then it became health, fitness and happiness.  The physical and mental benefits started to shine and I wanted to eat healthier and be more active to be a better me.  I look back at my posts and I see this transformation.

I thanked everyone for being my motivation to get started.  I thanked everyone for supporting the ACS.  I thanked everyone for their encouragement.  I thanked everyone for their weight-loss ideas.  I thanked everyone for being my army.  I thought of my army those first few months, and it gave me strength.  As time passed and the weight continued the fall, my strength came from the progress, the results, the happiness and I realized that this is not temporary.  This is not over.  I am internally motivated to lose more, do more and be fit!

I went shopping at Target the other day to buy, well…I’ll just say it.  I needed to underwear because my old ones were too big and not doing their duty. While I was there I noticed some Golf Polos.  At first I did not give them much attention because I have not been able to buy shirts at a store like Target in almost 20 years. The biggest size they have is 2XL, and I have not worn a 2XL since junior year of high school, but since I have dropped 10 pant sizes, I thought, “Why not take a look?”  I held a few up and felt like it was a possibility that they could fit.  I threw a couple in my cart and told myself that if they didn’t fit, I could always bring them back.

When I got home I eagerly took off my sweatshirt and tried on the first polo.  As I put my arms through the body of the shirt I thought for sure this is not going to fit.  You know how you get to know the feeling of shirts when you put them on?  Maybe it just big guys, but when my arms go into a shirt and I feel like I have to pinch them close together just to get my hands to the sleeves, the shirt is not going to fit.  My arms felt tight in this shirt before my hands got the sleeves and before the shirt went over my head.  But something amazing happened.  As the shirt slid down my arms and over my torso, it almost felt like the shirt grew and loosened up on me.  I know the shirt did not grow, but it was I that had shrunk.  I am maybe 10 pounds away from wearing these polos and being completely comfortable in them.  2XL!?  What?  I can hardly believe it.  Abercrombie, here I come!  :)

I think I made up for not writing a post in awhile by writing too much.  Oh well, I will be more consistent now that school is winding down and Relay is finished.  To answer some questions I have received: No, not everyone came through on their donations.  But I am in a 2XL, so I have better things to occupy my thoughts with now!