COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah - Principals across the Wasatch Front are more than halfway through their 100-day fitness challenge.
The Intermountain Health My Heart Challenge is a competition between 15 principals across the valley. They compete to lose weight and promote healthy lifestyles at their schools. The principals have lost a combined 188.5 pounds so far.
Canyonview Elementary Principal Brent Shaw says the challenge has changed his life.
"I think the most exciting thing is I'm diabetic and I've been able to get off my insulin, which is a life-changing thing for me. It's been great," Shaw said.
Eight weeks into the program, Shaw has lost 35 pounds and about 10 inches off his waist.
"It's been great. I have to buy a new wardrobe. That's going to be the hard part," he said.
Shaw says the other principals have been trying to tempt him to eat a big unhealthy meal, but it's all a fun, friendly competition.
"It's still a competition so I don't want to give out too much information about how well I'm doing because the other principals might have to step it up. But we're going to win this for our school and it'll be great," said Shaw.
The top two principals will receive $1,000 in prizes for their schools. But the money is only part of the reward as principals act as good examples for their students and teachers.
"It's a great example for everybody, for the teachers, for the kids to get out here and walk and let the kids walk with him. You can see the kids love to be around him. I think it's a great example for everybody," said third grade teacher Susan Jones.
And Shaw says the students are getting into the challenge.
"I was walking down the hall the other day and a little kid pokes his head out the door and says, 'Keep it up Mr. Shaw, it's looking good,'" he said.
The My Heart Challenge wraps up on May 17. A celebration lunch will be held on May 22 where two prizes will be given away, one to the overall winner based on points and one to the most improved.
