With the gym quiet and not a soul in sight, two teachers enter the 24-hour facility and grab themselves a room with a TV. They activate a workout video in the hopes of dropping a few extra pounds, but quickly find out that they are unable to keep up.
As accountability partners, newspaper adviser Karla Sprague and English teacher Jessica Shelton attempt to complete a step routine.
“I was so glad no one was watching. The motions were so fast that I couldn’t keep up. At first we were laughing at ourselves, but then we were totally quiet with concentration that we didn’t speak again until the video was over,” said Mrs. Sprague.
On February 16, sixteen teachers paid $25 to participate in a weight loss challenge, the prize being a better body and an even split of the paid money between the top two winners. One winner will be for the most points earned and the other for the most weight lost.
“The weight loss challenge basically came about because, at this time of year, just like everyone else, teachers get stressed and some people lose their good habits,” said science teacher and competitor Leslie Pitman.
The weight loss challenge is kept track of by each individual through a book that contains points in certain food categories that the teacher may struggle in or have trouble with.
The contestants earn points based on how well they did that day in each category, as well as points for drinking water, exercising, and eating vegetables they don’t normally eat.
“Last summer I lost about 35 pounds, and I have seemed to gain it all back with a vengeance,” said biology teacher Shari Reed. “It gets to the point where, if you have to walk up the stairs and Har-Ber and you’re winded, you probably need to lose some weight.”
According to “weightlossforall.com,” the key to losing weight is to make it fun, like taking up an activity such as tennis, swimming, or bowling, with a friend.
“www.more.com” stated that having a buddy to work out with or to help you eat right can be more fun than doing it by yourself, because you can take turn packing one another’s lunches. It can also help you discover healthier alternatives.
“I am not a gym person, so this challenge has motivated me the most, because as a group we’re all accountable for each other,” said Ms. Reed. “I always say that I can do it on my own and I never do, but the teachers and I are trying to do more activities together, and the weight I lose is what motivates me.”
Given the budding success of the challenge and the friendships that have developed, one teacher in particular thinks that this challenge could become a school wide thing for the students as well.
“I think more people probably need to do it, not necessarily to lose weight, but just to get healthy,” said Ms. Reed. “I think we should do something like a student-teacher competition so there would be more peer interaction. I think that’d be a really cool thing to do.”
According to “WebMD.com” even a 10% reduction in overall body weight can result in lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Less weight also means more energy and better self-esteem
As you lose weight, there is less strain on backs, knees, and ankles, reducing pain. Headaches are lessened, sleep comes easier, and all aspects of life become easier.
“I’ve lose three pounds, just today, so that makes me feel amazing, and on top of that my pants are fitting a little looser and that makes me feel really good. It’s definitely been on eof my biggest motivators,” said English teacher Robyn Grissom.
The weight loss challenge has been a way for teachers all over the school to connect and become close friends, and learn more about themselves as well as their peers.
Even though they have all grown closer and have all grown closer and have found support through their fellow contestants and have given support in return, it is still a competition.
“We have a couple of big talkers,” said Mrs. Grissom. “Mrs. Naylor says she’s going to win, and Mrs. Pitman loves to try to sabotage by talking about how she’s going to bring in donuts, but I actually think I’m going to win.”
The winners of this challenge will split the $500.
“Mrs. Shelton and I plan to use the prize money for a girls’ weekend,” said Mrs. Sprague.
As the leader of the competition, Mrs. Shelton works out 2-3 times a day. She boxes with fellow English teacher Katy Moore, works out with her mom in the mornings, and works out with Mrs. Sprague in the evenings.