Collaboration is key for latest 4 for $40 winners
The five members of “Team All In” from Washington High School have lost an astonishing 101 pounds collectively during the district’s 4 for $40 challenge.
This month’s 4 for $40 Challenge raffle winners are Valerie Payne (from left), Russell Sassin, Jennifer Harris, Bradley Berry, and Star Kindle from Booker T. Washington High School.
The team, which won this month’s iPad raffle, credits their weight-loss success to a combination of healthy food choices, regular exercise, and motivational texts at the beginning of the week to encourage each other. Thanks to their efforts and supportive attitudes, Bradley Berry, Jennifer Harris, Star Kindle, Valerie Payne, and Russell Sassin lost a combined 22 pounds in April.
Team captain Payne said they plan on losing even more weight, but not momentum, once the four-month challenge is over.
“Once you build a team, you develop relationships and the team members share their stories,” said Payne, a special education teacher. “We have members with high blood pressure, one who is cross-training, and a cancer survivor. I truly believe that this is a lifestyle change for all of us because of the health challenges we face.”
She added that she plans her meals for the week during a shopping trip on Saturday where she buys mostly fresh vegetables and fruit. Payne also bought a scale so she could weigh her food to control portions. But she also knows she can rely on support from her teammates, and vice-versa.
“Someone on the team either prepares a meal or shares a recipe each week for the entire team so that we won’t get bored and fall off,” she said. “We have more energy and stay energized throughout the day.”
To date, HISD employees participating have lost nearly 22,000 pounds during the 4 for $40 Challenge.
Click here for a list of locations and times for the next weigh-in period.
