Program Success Stories

Congratulations on your accomplishments!

We love hearing your healthy success stories...

If you'd like to share yours, please send it to wellness@byu.edu.

"[Building the Pyramids] helped me to focus on eating more whole grains and be more conscious of my choices." -Wellness Participant Sept. '09

"I really appreciated the information [in Building the Pyramids] and especially the recipes containing whole grains.  Several of the grains I had no idea how to use and now I have great ideas!" --Wellness Participant Sept. '09

"[Building the Pyramids] made me realize that I didn't really each many whole grains before, but at the same time didn't realize how easy it was to incorporate them into my meals once I was more aware." --Wellness Participant Sept. '09

"Last year I walked a lot on my treadmill at home. I could only go so fast or I would get shin splints. With the challenges I have pushed myself until my treadmill burned up. Now I not only walk but run every day. I just ran 5 miles this morning averaging 12 min/mile. My wife and I are down 16 Lbs each and with the help of your program are much healthier with long range goals. Thanks!" --Wellness Participant August '09

"I lost 18 lbs. during the Discover Utah challenge. I also completely changed the way I eat and what I ingest into this marvelous vehicle God has given me." -Wellness Participant July ‘09

"I've completed my first two 5K competitions this past month - winning 1st place in my age group on the second one. I attribute my win to walking every day during the Discover Utah challenge." -Wellness Participant July ‘09

"I have lost 10% of my weight in this last challenge. Having a goal of steps and pushing myself to do 10,000 steps a day really made a difference... Thanks for the motivation!!!" -Wellness Participant July ‘09

"I LOVE the walking challenge! I lost 14 pounds since this challenge began. For me, it created an incentive to be more active throughout the day. I found ways to add steps to my day and in conjunction with making small healthy choices, I lost weight. The challenge for me hasn't ended and although I may not wear a pedometer every day, I vow to continue to make healthy choices! Thanks Wellness!!" -Wellness Participant July ‘09

"There is no doubt that BYU Wellness provides the motivation that gets me going and keeps me going on a consistent and varied program. I'm grateful! I would still be exercising, but it would not be as beneficial." –Wellness Participant February ‘09

 
 "I am a race walker. ...[Discover Utah] made me walk a lot. As a result I was able to walk two of my fastest times in the 5K races in the month of June. My first race I was walking under 14 minute miles and my second at the end of the month I was walking under 12 minute miles. It was amazing!" -Wellness Participant July ‘09

 
"By watching what I eat, getting out and walking each day at lunch time, and changing my snacking habits, I have lost almost 50 pounds in the last 5 months." -Wellness Participant July ‘09

 
"During the Discover Utah walking challenge, I lost about 5 pounds even though I ate about the same number of daily calories I usually do. I probably could have lost even more had I substituted with healthy snacks. . . I feel much better during the day and am sleeping better than I was before the program." -Wellness Participant July ‘09

 
"I lost one pant size during this challenge [Discover Utah] simply by walking five days a week!" -Wellness Participant July ‘09

 
"I made a goal at the beginning of the year to lose 10 lbs. by June 1st. Thanks to this program I was able to lose the weight. This program keeps me motivated and encourages me to eat healthy and to get exercise." -Wellness Participant July ‘09

 
"I've lost almost 20 pounds since starting to exercise last year with the BYU Wellness Program. The extra incentive and motivation really does work! If you stick with it in the long run, you will see results." -Wellness Participant July ‘09

 
"Since the Lean Santa Challenge started I have lost 20 pounds and it was just because I was watching what I was eating. I think it is a great idea to record your food." –Wellness Participant Feb. ‘09

 
"I have had chronic pain in my shoulder for two years. I decided to do [the Iditarod challenge], particularly strengthening my arms and shoulder. I no longer have the pain and I have gained good strength. I'm not buff by any means - but pain free!!  So it was a great challenge and a great success." –Wellness Participant Feb. ‘09

"I've been planning to start doing sit-ups and pushups for a long time, as I used to do a long time ago, but I just never got to it until your recent challenge that included them. I have kept them up ever since, combined with the recent weight training, and my husband teases me that my arms have more muscle than his now." –Wellness Participant Feb. ‘09

"I've incorporated strength training pretty seriously into my exercise routine now. Of special note is that, because of the previous challenge, I continue to do push ups and sit ups in virtually all my workouts. I'm now doing at least 500 sit ups and 250 pushups a week -- more than I've ever done in my life!" –Wellness Participant Feb. ‘09

"I enjoyed lifting weights again, and found that my weight actually dropped and was more easily maintained. So far, after participating for a year in your program, I have lost 16 pounds, and have kept it off. It has been a motivator to keep participating because my stamina has improved." –Wellness Participant Feb. ‘09

"My group at work developed the habit of doing the challenges and we love to keep going on it now. We aim for 10,000 steps daily, we also pay attention to how many cups of water we drink daily, how many vegetables and fruit we eat, etc. It has been great and we do keep going long after the challenge has ended. Some of our people started swimming for the challenge and are still doing it daily for over a year now. Thanks for the encouragement." -Wellness Participant July ‘09

"Since last January I have been signing up for all the Wellness challenges that are offered. It has helped me stay committed to my running and I have lost 30 pounds." -Wellness Participant Nov '08

"I recently had a second bone scan after three years. The results showed that not only had my bone density ...had actually increased especially in my hips and legs. The consensus was that the consistent combination of aerobic exercise... and resistance training have decreased my liklihood of developing osteoporosis." Nov 08

 
"I am more aware of what I eat and the portions because we have focused on them at different times during the year so I am able to be satisfied with less and think about enjoying what I eat." -Wellness Participant Nov 08

 
"I have asthma, so I carry my inhaler with me literally everywhere. On the walking exercise last Spring, I was able leave my inhaler home after 2 weeks because I didn't need to use it as often! That was really a nice benefit from the daily walking. I feel like I have used it less during the summer because of the regular daily walking." -Wellness Participant Nov 08

"During the Summer Olympics Challenge, I made it my goal to get my family to try some new fruits and vegetables... During the "purple" week, I made the eggplant parmesan--I've never really liked eggplant but I felt daring! It was terrific! My husband and I both loved it, and our girls ate it as well as any other dinner! More importantly, it caught their interest. After that when we went grocery shopping, they would look for new produce to try. We had a great time trying new foods, and found some things we all enjoyed! Now my daughters are more willing to try new foods, and are more aware of their eating habits."-Wellness Participant Nov 08

 

"I have lost 24 pounds since April. I have walked consistantly the whole summer." -Wellness Participant Sept. '08

 
"It is thanks to BYU Wellness screenings that I discovered I had very high cholesterol readings and was able to intervene before having a stroke or heart attack. Part of the intervention was an exercise program, also a benefit of Wellness participation." -Wellness Participant Sept. '08


"Although I have been running a couple of miles a day for some time, this challenge helped me push myself a bit. I entered and finished a local 10K about midway through the challenge. So it took a little doing to go from a couple of miles of running to be able to feel confident enough to run 6.2 miles in one shot. I did it and it was a great experience."  -Wellness Participant Sept. '08

 
"I have felt more fit and healthy since doing these wellness challenges. Now that I am on thyroid medication, I have had more energy and have been able to actually fulfill the requirements. I even got a silver medal whereas a few months ago I couldn't even do the program. Thanks!" -Wellness Participant Sept. '08

 
"I have participated in the last two challenges and have actually lost 10 lbs. and feel tons better! -Wellness Participant Sept. '08

"I planned to run an average of 15 miles/week for the challenge. As the summer continued... I gained strength and stamina and wound up stretching my miles. I wound up averaging over 21/week. It was a delight to have my weight in control." -Wellness Participant Sept. '08

 
"Last week I ran 29 miles for the Biathlon running event (Olympic Fitness Challenge)! I think that is the most I have ever ran in one week." -Wellness Participant Sept. '08

 
"Between the Trek to Zion and the Olympic Challenge, I've been able to lose about 6 pounds and I have saved hundreds of dollars in fuel costs." -Wellness Participant Sept. '08

"My Triglycerides dropped by more than 50% in the last 4 months (two challenges)."-Wellness Participant May '08

"Since starting the Wellness Program in January I have lost about 25 pounds. I am feeling better, and I am able to do more of the things I love to do." -Wellness Participant May '08

"Through the nutritional helps, I have been able to lower my cholesterol nearly 90 points!!" -Wellness Participant May '08

"Because of the Wellness Program and Y-Be-Fit I was able to lose 50 lbs. last year by reducing calories and increasing exercise. Most important I increased my fruit and vegetable and grain intake while reducing trans-fats and candy." -Wellness Participant May '08

"I have been working on all the wellness challenges for over a year now. I have lost 37 pounds and 10 inches around my middle. Thank you so much. I walk most days for 45 minutes and participate in other sports such as biking and weightlifting. This is changing my life - Actually, this is changing the way I am changing my life. Thanks again." -Wellness Participant May '08

"While doing The Seven Summits challenge I lost 10 lbs." -Wellness Participant May '08

"I have lost 12 lbs while doing The Seven Summits challenge because it made me more aware of different things (I needed to change)." -Wellness Participant May '08

"I actually was trying to lose weight and wasn't really sure what to do. I heard about this program and decided to give it a shot. Now my portion sizes are smaller, I am eating better and I was able to lose 20 pounds. I feel so much better and take more time to recognize what I am actually eating and what I am doing." -Wellness Participant May '08

"The wellness challenges have helped me to eat better, have more energy, lose weight, and feel better about myself." -Wellness Participant May '08

"These Wellness Challenges have been a lifesaver for me... At the Thanksgiving Weigh-in in 2006, I weighed in at 264. Yesterday I weighed in at 214, (I am 6'4") so in just over about 15 months, I have lost 50 pounds (AND exited the "obese" category). I don't want to miss any... They are great!" -Wellness Participant Feb '08


"I have been trying to get back on track with my health, especially my nutrition for some time now. I have honestly felt out of control. This has helped me literally take small steps in the right direction. I have continued each challenge and built upon them. This combined with Y-Be-Fit has been the best motivator and helped me succeed more than I have in years. Thanks tons!" -Wellness Participant Feb '08