so one of my many hats at work (yes, more work stories.. honestly i don't do much else) is actually in accordance with my "title" as Community Outreach: i plan events for the residents on post. it's probably the most rewarding part of my job, and i'm happy to do it because that means that i get to be the person in the company that most everyone likes because i give them fun, free things to do and lots of prizes. so, by far, my biggest adventure of the year event-wise is the Slim Down Fort Leavenworth program. this is my 2nd year doing it and it is HU-UGE compared to last year. last year, for the 3 month program, i had about 40 people to start with and lost all but 10 by the end of it. i only did 3 events and they were poorly attended. this year i have taken the suggestions i received at the end of the party last time and expanded the program to include all kinds of fantasticosity. for example:
1. Report Cards: everyone is given a Welcome Packet full of exercise and nutrition info as well as a report card that doubles as a calendar of events/BMI chart. by keeping track of their exercises, etc., they can earn points towards lots of...2. Prizes: instead of 1 prize for the Biggest Loser like last year, i have that one plus a prize for the most points racked up on the report cards, a self-nominating prize for learning about better nutrition, and a Team Player prize for teams of 4 people who lose the most weight.
3. Events: in addition to the kickoff event, i have also done a series of free aerobics classes, a Healthy Eating cooking class, and am partnering with lots of organizations on post to do other things like a 5K Fun Run at the end, followed by my awards ceremony.
I have over 100 people signed up and they all received tshirts (designed by me, they're pretty funny.) and water bottles with the company logo and all that crap. and i send out weekly emails of encouragement to everyone also, that seems to be pretty popular. so this week i think is either week 7 or 8 of 12, so we're almost done. but as of the end of week 6, the half way point, of the 49 people who check in with me every week for Weigh In Wednesday, 275 pounds had been lost. so it's safe to say that half of my group has fizzled out on me, but still - almost 300 pounds lost in 6 weeks! it's pretty amazing. you see now why this is the most rewarding part of my job? people's lives are changing. it just blows me away. i am so excited for the end of the program, not because i want it to be over, but i want to see what everyone has accomplished!
here are some pictures from my SDFL events so far this year:i had a heck of a crowd at the kickoff - i think i counted about 75 people. here is the guy from the gym doing his "this is what the gym has to offer and this is why you should exercise" speech.
yes, i do public speaking now - it's weird. it has taken me a couple of years, but i can do it now without looking like a total idiot and people seem to think i'm entertaining, despite my chins.
part of the kickoff event was that, in addition to the exercise and nutrition talks, people could take 2 free aerobics classes: this is body pump, they also did my beloved Zumba.
not the greatest picture, but this was my cooking class which took place last Thursday. it was the 2nd biggest class i've ever had.
so yea. that's a bit of what i'm up to.