Towards the end of 2010 I began having chest pains which really scared me.  I decided that I needed to lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle.  I heard that the USU Wellness program was co-sponsoring a Biggest Looser weight lose competition. The first step was to get blood work at Student Health Services and my cholesterol came back at 270! That’s 70 points higher than normal.  This was a huge concern to me since I have a family history of high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes. The next step was a Fitness Assessment and the results showed that I was overweight and that my BMI was at high risk. I knew I needed to change my lifestyle and eating habits!  Thus I began monitoring everything that I put into my mouth. With the help of an awesome trainer, Alex Baldwin, and his Baldwin Eating Logic (nicknamed The Bel) I changed my diet. I drank lots of water, three sit down meals daily, increase colorful fruits and vegetables, ate only whole grains and chose lean proteins. I tracked all of my calories and stayed within 1,400 calories per day.  I have lowered my cholesterol 70 points and lost 23 pounds. I am feeling so much better. I am going to continue down this wellness journey for the rest of my life and I am so grateful to Utah State University.