Halfway Weigh

I think we can all admit that 19 pounds in the first two weeks was crazy!  My body had a big reaction to an influx of fruits and vegetables, and decrease in burgers, beer and pizza.  I do not expect a 2week loss like that ever again.

Most of my 2week weigh-ins have been the 7 pound loss variety.  Which is great, fantastic and more than I could have dreamed of losing.  There are a couple 2week weigh-ins that standout as below the norm.  The weeks following that initial 19 pounds, I lost 5 pounds.  These last two weeks, I lost 5 pounds.  Losing 5 pounds is great and I do not want to sound like there is something wrong with that weight loss.  BUT I am a math guy now, and I look for reasons why outliers are in my data.

The 2week window after the initial 19 pounds, was during the Holidays (a known weight gain time), but it was a break from teaching. Two weeks in which my schedule was different and my habits were not so habit-tee.  Then over these last two weeks, 10 of those days were Mid-Winter Break and I was not teaching. (Insert lazy, greedy teacher joke here.)  Again my schedule was thrown off and my habits were less than habitatious.

This makes me start to consider what could happen over the summer.  Will I derail?  Will pizza, beer and burgers find their way back into my tum-tum?  How can I combat this? What plan can I make?  I will need help.  I will need accountability.  I will need you.  Yeah, I am talking about you.  Not some other Blog reader,...YOU!

Be ready my Adams Army of Healthy Habiteers!  I will be calling on you before too long...

So yeah, 5 more pounds.  For a total of 52 pounds!  All those people that gave themselves a Max of 50, time to pay up :)  Use the link below.

Donate to Ryan.  

danke, gracias, merci, much obliged

How many?

This week I spoke with 6-7 people that are trying to live healthier, lose weight, get in shape, or make better choices. The phrasing doesn't matter. Some are trying to eat better. Some exercising more regularly. Others are trying both. Myfitnesspal was heard from 3-4 people. "Eat This, Not That" was mentioned a couple of times. I mentioned, "Eat to Live."

I wonder how many readers are making these positive changes? Email me your strategy and I will share what others are using to see what resonates with the most people.

This week I hiked Wallace Falls, spent an hour at the "gym," hiked Twin Falls and walked 5 miles on the Burke Gillman Trail. Fitness week, I felt great the entire time!

Me, Math Teacher? Final Installment

I did not consider myself a "math guy."  That all changed when I was working at Skyview Jr High.  My Department Head there was Chris Harrison, perhaps the best math teacher to walk the planet, and he is a hands-on teacher/leader.  My first year there, he observed my class, engaged me in conversations about math and teaching, and without me realizing it, taught me to refine my craft as a math teacher.  I can attribute a great deal of my students' success to my conversations with Chris.

Also while working at Skyview, I met Bobby.  To put it mildly, Bobby is a Baseball Nutt!  Bobby loves to watch, attend, discuss and live baseball.  For a few years prior to my arrival at Skyview, Bobby had run a Fantasy Baseball League named after his favorite player, Roberto Clemente.  The league owners consisted of other baseball nutts, math teachers and stat-heads.  Although this league never competed for money, the owners in this league took it very seriously, and spent hours compiling and analyzing stats.  I was invited to take over a team and did not realize right away what it takes to be successful in this league.

During the draft, which takes a month to complete at one round per day over email, owners maintain several spreadsheets of data to analyze where their players and available players are strong, or weak.  My first year, I kept one spreadsheet for my team.  In subsequent years, I maintained up to 15 spreadsheets.  One for each team in the league (10), one for available infielders, one for outfielders, one for DH, one for pitchers and one for relievers.  Our league used non-standard stats that took a little more effort to track.  OBP instead of BA.  K/BB ratio instead of K's.  This added to the analytical nature of the league.  Bobby would send us articles on certain players and how these stats were better predictors to a players true abilities.  If you have seen, or read "Money Ball" you know what I am talking about.

Chris and Bobby became the owners that I discussed and debated players with during my time in the league.  They were always one step ahead of me in thinking about the numbers instead of the players, or teams for which they played.  After my second year in the league, I had a break-through, mathematically speaking.  Instead of a guy who was good at math, and a good math teacher, I became a "math guy."  I could look at a situation and immediately see the rate, probability, or function.  Because of the Roberto Clemente League, and my conversations with Bobby and Chris, I now saw the world differently.  I now figure out the exact minute I would cross the bridge into Oregon based on the various speed limits along the way when leaving my house in Woodinville.  I now base all of my decisions while playing board games on the probabilities, which some friends say, "Takes all of the fun out of playing."  But that is fun to me now.

"Ok, Ryan.  Let's wrap this up and bring it back to your weight loss."

My original weight was _ _ 4.  With that last number being a 4, my mind plays with that, and creates math problems for me to complete in order to get to the next 10.  Here is what I mean:  Starting with that number which ends with a 4, if I lose 5 pounds, I am into the next set of 10 pounds.  If the number were 134 and lost 5, it would be 129, and I would think, "Yeah! I am in the 20's!"   It gives me a little goal to work towards. But then, if I lose 5 more, I have lost 10 pounds, which gets me to another 10-type number.  So every 5 pounds, I break another 10. Either the next "decade," 30's, 20's, etc, or I lost 10, 20, or 30 pounds.  Goals galore!

It does not end there.  I have learned that 700 is a key number as well.  Everyone's body has a set amount of calories they could eat each day to maintain their weight.  One of my first posts stated that mine was 3900-something...a deficit of 700 calories per day, over the course of a week is one pound lost.  A surplus of 700 a day, over the course of a week is a pound gained.  I am currently on a planned deficit of 1400 a day.  Currently 2180 calories per day.  So yes, I track my calories on myfitnesspal, but my mind is playing with these numbers constantly.  When I have my next small goal to the next 10, my mind is figuring out how calories deficit is needed. How many calories per day? How many per meal? How many days will it take? How many meals will it take? How many pears would that be?  It goes on and on.  Sometimes being a "math guy" is draining...but being a math guy has helped me stay focused. Thank you Bobby and Chris!

The 29th will be my next weigh-in. 5 days away, 7000 calorie deficit away, 2 lost pounds away? 

Hiking to the Top

The first time I hiked Wallace Falls I was twelve. I invited myself along with the VanGerpen family up the street. I don't remember walking up to be too difficult, but on the way down, Eric and another friend of ours ran down the mountain, and I could not keep up. The weight I was carrying up front made me feel off balance when I tried to run down hill.

Since then Wallace Falls has been a gauge of my physical fitness. In the summers, while training for college football, I would hike Wallace every few weeks to build stamina and leg strength. I have a lot to carry up a mountain. Then in 2004, I worked really hard to be healthy and lose weight in an attempt to catch the eye of my coworker that summer. I lost 50ish pounds and could climb to the upper falls at Wallace in 42 minutes, which is 2.75 miles up a mountain. So pretty good for me.

Last summer a friend, Harrison, and I walked Wallace four times. I improved with each trek, but could only muster 45 minutes to the lower falls, 1.9 miles in. Never made to the upper falls. Monday morning will be my first crack at Wallace since last summer and first since my weight loss started. I am not out to break any records, but it will be a gauge of...absolutely nothing. As long as I feel good during and after, that is good enough for me.

Me, Math Teacher? Part 3

You may be wondering, "Why is this guy telling us his life's story?  I thought this was a weight-loss blog."

Hopefully I can bring it back full-circle for you by the end of these Me, Math Teacher? segments.

That first year, teaching four curriculums, had a big learning curve.  I was excited to have a L.A./S.S. block class.  Having the same kids for two hours allowed me to create lessons where the kids got to get up out of their seat, act out scenes from books we were reading, recreate events from history, and truly engage in their learning.  The math classes are where I felt like my lessons may lack the flair I had grown accustom to using.  Much like Madonna's half-time show at the Super Bowl.

I referred back to my files from Linfield College where I had taken Math for Teachers and Math Methodologies, per the graduation requirements for my major.  I scoured my papers, books, notes and high-lighted passages to identify the strategies best suited for me and my students.  I have always classified myself as what educators call a Constructivist Teacher.  I believe in students constructing their knowledge through experiencing, investigating, collaborating and working through concepts.  Opposed to me telling, showing, or demonstrating concepts.  I found a high-lighted passage in one book that stated this idea clearly.  "A high-quality teacher facilitates learning."

Luckily the Northshore School District had a math curriculum that matched this style quite well.   Students worked in groups on large, real-life problems, and were asked to discuss the best way to solve the problems.  I walked around the room and guided them in the right direction, corrected misconceptions and cleaned up the procedures groups agreed upon.  A true facilitator.  I learned a lot about how kids think, and when to allow the students to struggle through the work, and when it was time to step in and steer them back on course.

My students found success by constructing their own understanding, instead of me delivering the concepts to them like FedEx.  I didn't speak math jargon at them because I was not a "math guy."  This allowed for more students to feel like they could access the numbers because they were not being bogged down by vocabulary.  Once the students understood the concepts, we would go back and attach the math vocabulary, now that they had the knowledge to attach it to.

Once the Administration finds out that a teacher has a knack for teaching math, that person will be a math teacher, indefinitely.  I am in my 9th year of teaching math, and for the first 6 years of teaching math, I did not consider myself a "math guy."  That all changed when...

Me, Math Teacher? Part 4 coming soon.

We are almost to the halfway point in this six-month fundraiser, and I could not be happier with the progress.  I owe so much to all of you for making feel like I was not doing this on my own.  Thank you.

I am down 8 more pounds.  For a total of 47 pounds.  My original goal of 50 pounds in six months seems a bit like Justin Timberlake saying, "I wish I could date at least one hot girl in my lifetime."   I now am like the GPS in your car after you make a wrong turn. "Recalculating" my goal.

Me, Math Teacher? Part 2

Once I realized that I wanted to be a teacher, I started to place myself in positions to learn about teaching.  As ASB President I helped start a tutoring program with Carl Sandburg Elementary in which Jr High students would walk the half a block to the elementary school and help teachers in their classroom for the last 30 minutes of the day.  Here I began to realize that you need to speak the kid's language.  When I described a plateau as a section of land that has high-elevation and low-relief, the kid started to cry because I confused them even more. I then changed my vocabulary for communicating with kids.

In high school I participated in the tutoring program at the local Boys and Girls Club.  Here I realized how hard it can be for a kid to get their school work done when their home is an unsafe place, and they don't have anyone to buy them binders, calculators, paper, or even pencils. This reality punched me in the gut, and increased my desire to become a great teacher because these kids deserve to have the best at school, when they have the opposite at home.

Out of high school, I chose Linfield College based on two things. One, their education department is well-known for the high-quality teachers that they produce each year.  And second, their football program is unmatched for consistently winning and making their players better people.  This was the best decision I could have made for myself.  Linfield did make me a better person, and the characteristics that are preached by the coaches are a big reason for my future success as a teacher and charitable volunteer.

Once I finished at Linfield, I wanted to earn my Masters Degree before I began my teaching career, so I enrolled in another very reputable program, UW-Bothell, Masters of Education.  My parent's college funds had dried up, so I started working three jobs to pay for my tuition.  I was a Maintenance Man at my mom's work.  Those that have seen me attempt to use tools know that this was a stretch, but I learned a lot, and walked away with some useful skills.  I also was a Recreation Director for the City of Bothell and Issaquah during breaks from school.  This allowed me to play games all day with kids, and get paid for it. Thanks Ric and Cathy! And my last job was as a Door Host (bouncer) at a bar in Kirkland.  This was the best job training because intoxicated adults act just like Jr High kids.

Language Arts and Social Studies were the focus at Linfield. Literacy was my focus in Grad School.  So when my first job was a leave replacement (maternity leave) for a teacher who taught a Language Arts/Social Studies block, I was excited.  Then I was told she also taught math and honors math...oh boy. OK, if that is what it takes to get a job, I'll do it!  I should also mention that the teacher I was replacing is one of the best teachers to ever walk in a school, and I stole all of her classroom systems the next year. Thanks Anne!

Me, Math Teacher? Part 3 coming soon.

I have been weighing in twice a month, once around the 14th or 15th and once at the end of the month.  I am starting to feel it when my weight-loss is going well, or when it slows down.  I am learning what my body feels like when I am eating well, and when I have an off day.  I had a great week last week, and feel like that the weigh-in in 2 days will be a great one!  Check back then and celebrate with me!

Also, a few of you offered to help me learn how to cook some quick and healthy meals. Email me if you have time to meet up in the next couple weeks. 

You all are helping to save my life, and countless others! Thank you!

Chaos, but Good Chaos

Writing my posts have taken a backseat to Chaos.  My life has felt a little out of control the past couple weeks, and it is finally starting to settle into a mild bedlam.

After the snow that left me stranded at home for eight days, and four lost days of school, the semester was extended a week for the students in my school.  This provided an opportunity for my Alg 1 students to demonstrate improvement on an assessment in which they performed poorly.  To aid these students in their attempt to increase their knowledge, and current grade before the end of the semester, I stayed after school to review the material with anyone that wanted assistance for three days a week over two weeks.  17 to 26 students stayed on each of the six days.  That was a lot of Algebra conversations for a two week period!

Event Chair for the Northshore Relay For Life is the other hat that caused the topsy-turviness.  Yes, that's a term.  During these same weeks, I was scheduling, preparing for and attending three meetings per week for my Relay responsibilities.  I "trained" our new Sponsorship chair. Trained is in quotes because she already seemed like a pro, and in her first week lined up five companies to sponsor our event at $1000 a piece.  Then I met with our new ACS staff person and laid out a plan for recruiting, asking, begging and thanking people and businesses in Bothell and Kenmore to join our Relay in some fashion.  Relay meetings take prep, patience and determination, but it is all worth it when new research we funded leads to life saving treatments!

All of this Chaos was good.  I mean it.  It was good.  My students improved their assessment scores by an average of 15%.  A nice little boost to end the semester on I'd say.  And last night at our Relay Team Rally, we had 10 new teams attend!  And 17 overall new teams have signed up this year!  I weathered the Chaos Storm and feel good about the results.

I have received a couple emails asking about Super Bowl Sunday and how I managed my food intake.  Here is what I did:

-I surrounded myself with healthy-minded friends.
-I relied on their expertise for the main dish, pulled pork tacos, 170 calories for 4 oz of meat.
-I cooked and cut into toothpick bites, Turkey Brats for an appetizer. 150 calories per brat.
-I relied on another friend to bring dip and dip-able items. Always a Super Bowl hit! The dip was made from fat-free sour cream, and a ranch seasoning packet.  We dipped cut veggies.  Dip was 20 calories per 2 Tbsp and veggies, come on!
-I drank MGD 64. Four of them.

Throw in a couple of other small things and a great football game, and I was only 1 calorie over my goal for the day!  Knowing that tastes good.

Me, Math Teacher? Part 2 coming soon...

1/3rd Donation?

If anyone can, or wants to make part of their sponsorship donation now, it would really help me motivate our Relay community. We have a Goal of $10,000 raised by Tuesday, and now we are at $5,200. If I can get even a few hundred dollars donated, then I could send out an email to the 300+ people signed up so far urging them to start their early fundraising like me!

 If you would like to, or can donate at the 1/3rd mark, please use the link below.

 Your amount would be 39 x (per pound amount) = current donation. 

Thank you all very much! 

Click here to donate.