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True Survivors: CUWCD Completes Successful Wellness Program

As part of CUWCD's Wellness Program, more than 49 employees, spouses and dependents signed on for the Survivor Havoc Challenge. Over 30 were spared getting "kicked off the island" as part of the two month challenge.

Those who participated were placed on one of two teams captained by Connie Mullins, a Survivor enthusiast, and Daryl Devey, whom the opposing captain and team referred to as "Dictator Devey". Specific health-related challenges were assigned out on a weekly basis including 30 minutes of exercise per day, strength and stretching exercises for 15 minutes a day, eating five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, going one week without dessert or soda, getting a minimum of seven hours of sleep per night, spending 30 minutes per day to do something for yourself, drinking 64 oz. water each day as well as a few others. What was unique and challenging about the contest was that participants started out with one particular challenge per week for the first few weeks. Seeing there were too many "survivors", Sarah Sutherland, Program Director, increased the number of weekly challenges from one to four by the end of the contest. One immunity could be used every month if one failed to execute the particular challenge for a given week. Immunities included making a donation to a food bank or other charitable contribution, getting in touch with a long lost friend, or performing an act of service for someone else.

As with any Wellness Program activity, the focus of this two month contest was to help employees, spouses and dependents engage in healthy lifestyle choices (eat well and get up and get moving) in the hopes that some would become habit forming. Many employees shared success experiences including weight loss, feeling better, and breaking the habit of drinking soda.

In the end, Daryl Devey's team won. Every participant who completed the program was given a hat commemorating their participation in the event, and everyone's name was thrown in a hat for prize drawings. The prize winners were: Jared Hansen, Ron Nielsen, Linda Ivie, Monica Hoyt, and Connie Mullins. Each received a $50 gift certificate to a local store. However, everyone who participated felt they had achieved something worthwhile with respect to their health and well-being.