diff --git a/src/pint_pal/lite_utils.py b/src/pint_pal/lite_utils.py
index f329691..96e8c88 100644
--- a/src/pint_pal/lite_utils.py
+++ b/src/pint_pal/lite_utils.py
@@ -1484,20 +1484,38 @@ def check_convergence(fitter):
     Parameters
     ==========
     fitter: `pint.fitter` object
+
+    Returns
+    =======
+    output_val: string object that corresponds to the printed outputs of the checker
     """
     chi2_decrease = fitter.resids_init.chi2-fitter.resids.chi2
-    print(f"chi-squared decreased during fit by {chi2_decrease}")
+    message = str(f"chi-squared decreased during fit by {chi2_decrease}")
+    print(message)
+    output_val = []
+    output_val.append(message)
     if hasattr(fitter, "converged") and fitter.converged:
-        print("Fitter has converged")
+        message = "Fitter has converged"
+        print(message)
+        output_val.append(message)
     else:
         if abs(chi2_decrease)<0.01:
-            print("Fitter has probably converged")
+            message = "Fitter has probably converged"
+            print(message)
+            output_val.append(message)
         elif chi2_decrease<0:
-            log.warning("Fitter has increased chi2!")
+            message = "Fitter has increased chi2!"
+            log.warning(message)
+            output_val.append(message)
         else:
-            log.warning("Fitter may not have converged")
+            message = "Fitter may not have converged"
+            log.warning(message)
+            output_val.append(message)
     if chi2_decrease > 0.01:
-        log.warning("Input par file is not fully fitted")
+        message = "Input par file is not fully fitted"
+        log.warning(message)
+        output_val.append(message)
+    return output_val
 
 def file_look(filenm, plot_type = 'profile'):
     """ Plots profile, GTpd, or YFp for a single file