For Ewa Beach resident Dawn Villanueva, participating in Dr. Oz’s “Transformation Nation: Million Dollar You” contest wasn’t about the prize.

“For me it wasn’t about the money. It’s still not about the money,” she said.

Rather, Villanueva is grateful that the contest helped her family create lasting, healthy habits. The 40-year-old was chosen to be one of 10 finalists who will vie for the million-dollar prize on the Dr. Oz show at 4 p.m. Wednesday on KITV. The winner was selected through an online vote that ran May 7 to 13.

More than a million folks took the challenge to lose weight and get healthy.

Villanueva, a teacher at Kapolei Elementary School, said she joined the transformation to save her husband’s life.

“He had high blood pressure and a history of heart disease,” she said.

But her biggest concern was his sleep apnea.

“I was afraid he would stop breathing and die in his sleep.”

As for herself, Villanueva said, “I had just turned 40 and wasn’t happy with what I’d done to my own body. I was 40 pounds overweight and needed to make changes not only for myself, but for my entire family.”

The challenge launched on Sept. 26, and the couple joined the next day. They had an official weigh-in at a nearby Weight Watchers and decided to join the program to help them with their process.

Dr. Oz’s program included seven steps: a weigh-in at Weight Watchers, calculating BMI, gathering family health history, increasing sleep, reducing stress, developing new fitness habits and forming a relationship with a doctor.

Participants were required to lose 10 percent of their body weight or reach or maintain a healthy BMI between 18.5 and 24.9.

Villanueva is 5 feet 2 inches tall and says her initial weight was 156.2 pounds; now she is down to 112. “My dress size went from a size 12 to a size 4,” she added.

“I lost 44 pounds, and my BMI went from a 28 to a 20. My husband lost 43 pounds, and his BMI is now 25, within the healthy range.”

The best part, said Villanueva, is that he no longer suffers from apnea.

The family’s formula for success was jogging together and, with the help of Weight Watchers, overcoming bad eating habits.

They began eating breakfast and decreased their intake of soda and unhealthy snacks while increasing water intake.

Now their diet comprises mainly fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean protein.

Upon being named one of the top 50 finalists, Villanueva and her fellow contestants were required to write personal essays describing their experiences, motivation and transformation.

One of the things Villanueva realizes is how her journey is affecting others. Not only is she recognized by strangers who stop her at Walmart and other places, she is witnessing changes in those close to her.

“It’s kind of neat that we are inspiring other people. Our friends are starting to make dietary changes and started walking. It’s a blessing.”