When Warehouse Replenishment Operator Dwight Mann joined the Step It Up challenge at the Orlando Pharmacy Warehouse, he didn’t know a little friendly competition between co-workers would lead to big changes.

“When I first started out, I didn’t really care about getting more steps, but then I realized I couldn’t let my supervisor get more steps than me,” Dwight said. “The competition made it fun.”

Dwight started finding new ways to walk farther and be more active. He began taking longer walks with his dogs twice a day, and after a day of walking at work, he went home to walk on a treadmill or ride an exercise bike.

As exercise became easier, Dwight’s enthusiasm grew. He began to adopt healthful eating habits and drinking more water. Before long, he started seeing encouraging differences in his life — both at work and home.

In the first four months after the challenge started, Dwight lost about 15 pounds and lowered his blood pressure. He noticed other physical changes as well. He was no longer lightheaded and winded when he moved around, his back didn’t hurt as much, and stairs were no longer a challenge.

Dwight also noticed a difference at work. “I used to slow down as the day went by, but I have more energy now,” he said.

Based on his results, Dwight is motivated to maintain his new lifestyle. He’s continued walking and counting his steps. In his previous position as a selector, Dwight estimates he averaged around 50,000 steps per day between work and home. And while his current role doesn’t require as much walking, he’s maintaining 7,000 to 10,000 steps per day.

His changes also give him more opportunities to spend time with his family. Recently, Dwight began walking with his daughter to support her Health Opportunities through Physical Education (HOPE) high school class.

“I’ve seen a lot of differences,” he said. “I’ve gone this far. I want to see what else I can do and how much more I can change.”