The outpouring of support over the past 48 hours has been amazing. So far, 20 of you have signed on to the challenge, with some even starting their own weight loss plan. The first weigh-in will occur at some point this week – I am still waiting on the scale I ordered. Until that weigh-in occurs, any weight loss that occurs will not count towards the goal.
Spread the word to anyone who knows me – I would love to see the amount of people increase…
Most of you reading this know that I am a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a national co-ed service fraternity found on over 370 campuses nationwide. Each year, we pick a theme for our November Service Week; during this week, all of the Chapters attempt to put on one or more service projects/events that are related to the theme. This year’s theme relates to eating healthy and promoting lifestyle choices to reduce obesity. Now, it is hard for me to hold a senior leadership position within this organization and ask the students to work on this theme when I am currently a poster-child for extreme obesity.
So how do I address this conflict?
By creating a public challenge for me to lose the weight. Starting February 1, 2011, I will attempt to lose 50 pounds by November 15 (the approximate end of National Service Week). I will do this the old-fashioned way: portion control, better dietary choices, and exercise.
Great – but what does that have to do with you?
Well, in order to make it interesting for me and to be able to help others, I am creating the 50 for $50 Challenge. For this challenge, I am asking all of my friends to “sponsor” me by pledging to donate $50 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital if I achieve my goal. I am also adding the following optional components:
In any case, if you complete the sign-up form, you are only obligated to the original terms. I have put links to St. Jude and Alpha Phi Omega on the front page of this blog in case you need more information about either.
As a way of allowing all of you to track my progress, I will be posting regular updates, including weekly weigh-ins. I had to buy a new scale, so the initial weigh-in may occur after Feb. 1.
Click here to go to the sign-up form and help me raise money for St. Jude.
…to my corner of the web. This will be a work in progress as I explore my journey to lose weight, as well as anything else that happens to cross my mind. Feel free to sit back and enjoy the show…
