Utah Mom of Nine Kids Wins 100-day My Heart Challenge

Keefer was recognized Thursday at Intermountain Medical Center and awarded a $1,000 donation to the charity of her choice.

Since Mother’s Day, these 15 busy Utah moms have been working with an exercise specialist, dietitian and therapist from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute to help them evaluate their health and implement changes into their lifestyle to help them and their families become more heart healthy. As a result, many of the moms have become more active, lost weight, improved family nutrition and became examples to members of their communities.

“We had an amazing group of women competing in this year’s My Heart Challenge,” said Donald Lappé, MD, chief of cardiology of the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute. “We are honored to have played a role in guiding them to not only make the personal lifestyle changes for their own health, but in watching them influence their children, families, neighbors and communities toward better health.”

Three other moms were recognized for their efforts in the My Heart Challenge:

• Most Improved Award winner: Candace Greenwell, 44, West Valley City
• Most Influential Award winner: Tina Brown, 54, Kearns
• Play at Home Edition winner: Claudia Sanchez, 43, West Valley City

“Earlier this year I delivered my angel baby, Heavenleigh, and was suffering from numerous complications and health issues as a result,” said Keefer. “I was depressed and my body was revolting against itself. I gave myself the okay to walk or go slow in my recovery process, and the My Heart Challenge program is one of the greatest moments in my life, a tribute to my angel Heavenleigh, and a gift of healthy living to my family.”

How the My Heart Challenge worked

The My Heart Challenge officially launched on Mother’s Day 2015.  The 15 moms participated in regular nutrition classes, personal exercise consultations, and other workshops to improve their diet and exercise. They will also underwent baseline testing, including a treadmill stress test, blood lipid profile, blood pressure, glucose, body mass index and a written health risk assessment at the start and conclusion of the three-month challenge.

As the moms worked to eat healthy, participate in cardio or strength activities, and plan and execute healthy activities for their family or community, they earned points. The point system was used to identify the overall winner of the My Heart Challenge: Moms Edition.

The 15 moms are from within Salt Lake County, and between the ages of 25 and 54.

• Candace Greenwell, 44, West Valley City
• Candy Keefer, 41, Sandy
• Tina Brown, 54, Kearns
• Claudia Reyes, 25, Salt Lake City
• Jennifer Schmiett, 39, Sandy
• Heather Lee, 35, Midvale
• Jamie Digerness, 34, West Jordan
• Delfina Chavez, 38, West Valley City
• Tristan Jennings-Horsley, 39, Sandy
• Andrea Bleazard, 42, Riverton
• Elaine Figueroa, 47, Salt Lake City
• Korene Robinson, 48, West Jordan
• Jamie Riccobono, 38, Murray
• Arleen Mosley, 47, Taylorsville
• Amanda Casey, 30, West Valley City

Forty Utah moms also competed in the Play at Home Edition of the My Heart Challenge, where contestants received access to weekly resources on diet and exercise, tracked diet and exercise, and reported in weekly with results. The contestants reported nearly 20 million total steps during the three-month challenge and lost a total of 95 pounds.

More information about the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute’s My Heart Challenge, along with diet and exercise tips, can be found at MyHeartChallenge.com.