Salt Lake Valley Families Invited to Compete in 100-Day My Heart Challenge

The annual challenge is a 100-day contest to help participants strengthen their heart health by improving their lifestyles and reducing their risk of developing heart disease.

Here’s how to apply for the 2016 My Heart Challenge: Family Edition

1. OPTION 1: Complete the online application form (VIDEO), providing all required information, and upload a 60-second video explaining why your family should be selected as one of the seven competing in the 2016 My Heart Challenge: Family Edition [See a sample video below]  The video submission is optional.
2. OPTION 2: Complete the online application form (NO VIDEO), providing all required information.

The application deadline is Wednesday, March 16, 2016.

During the 100-day contest, participant families will work with experts from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute to learn how to incorporate exercise into their lives, eat more fruits and vegetables and track their progress. They will work together as a family to support each other in making these vital changes that will collectively improve their overall health. 

“The number of families impacted by heart disease is a growing problem in Utah and beyond,” said Donald Lappe, MD, chief of cardiology of the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute. “By making heart health a family focus, kids and parents can work together to support one another and enjoy the journey to better health for many years to come.”

Participants will receive individual coaching and counseling from the heart experts at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute -- including exercise specialists, dietitians, and heart experts -- to help them make positive, long-lasting healthy changes to their lives. They'll also go through health assessments and testing at the beginning and end of the challenge to measure their accomplishments.

The number of families impacted by heart disease is a growing problem in Utah and beyond. By making heart health a family focus, kids and parents can work together to support one another and enjoy the journey to better health for many years to come.

Salt Lake Valley moms, firefighters, school principals and elected officials from across Salt Lake Valley have taken part in previous editions of the My Heart Challenge. Last year, the 15 participating moms lost a combined 216 pounds, in addition to reducing their total cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure, body fat, and waist circumference. They also influenced countless others to make heart-healthy and life-saving changes.

This year seven families will be selected to compete in the My Heart Challenge: Family Edition. They will be contacted on March 21, and the competition will officially launch on Thursday, April 14 following an orientation and initial baseline testing.