For veterans such as Chip Hanson, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ MOVE! program has delivered results that extend far beyond a number on a scale.
“The tools and tips from the program helped me to lose 35 pounds in six months,” Hanson said in a recent VA report highlighting veterans enrolled in the program through the Orlando VA Healthcare System.
The other participants said they had lower blood pressure, a substantial reduction in body weight and improved blood sugar levels. Alex Moreno, one of the veterans in the program, said that his average blood sugar fell from 6.0 two years ago to 5.4.
This is good news for those who are hoping to avoid diabetes. An A1C between 5.7% and 6.4% is considered to be in the prediabetes range, and a reading below 5.7 is considered to be optimal. These results showed he moved out of the prediabetic range, and while this is great news, continuous action needs to be taken to avoid getting back into that range.
Moreno credits MOVE! not as a simple diet or workout program that is more than advertised. Education, accountability, and a community for support that continues supporting them after the initial program ends were key to his success.
Weight-Loss That Goes Further Than Just a Class
MOVE!, which is short for Weight Management Program for Veterans, is the VA’s comprehensive lifestyle intervention designed to help veterans improve their health through nutrition, physical activity and behavior changes.
At Viera, Fla., veterans can participate in a group that is offered in person or through an online option. Some of the participants joined MOVE! years ago, and others have more recently started their weight-loss journey.
The starting line doesn’t matter, as those in the program have talked about shared setbacks, strategies, and overall support for their health journey.
“It has been a great experience for me as I have lost an additional 20 pounds and kept my A1C low,” veteran Margaret Evans said.
Others in the program have talked about how the program provided them with accountability partners and educated them about proper nutrition. These changes have led to improvements in their quality of life as well.
Continued support in a health journey is important to keep momentum going. Losing weight is only the first step in this process, and returning to old habits often happens when people have no one to fall back on. Motivations can change, and keeping up with healthy lifestyles requires support from a like-minded community.
Learning What Is in the Food
Nutrition education is one of the program’s central components. Veterans learn to examine food labels, monitor portion sizes and pay closer attention to ingredients that can affect conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
“MOVE! taught me to look at the labels of food and to keep track of sodium and sugar in food, which caused my A1C to improve a great deal,” one veteran said.
Doug Douget, a veteran in the program, gave credit to his VA dietitian for helping him to understand what better foods support the body overall. While the program does not rely on nutrition alone, knowing what to consume for optimization is just as important as having a quality trainer or support staff.
Mental health and physically challenging recreational activities are highly encouraged as well. Finding events that fit into participants’ abilities and maintain their interest is also highly encouraged, instead of just an exercise routine.
One veteran reported walking, swimming, kayaking and even exercising with pets. Veteran Dave Riley said MOVE! motivated him to exercise every day while becoming more conscious of what and how he eats. “My blood pressure numbers have improved significantly,” Riley said.
Seeing Results, With Little Changes
A few of the members reported significant health milestones. One participant noted that they lost 17% of their starting body weight and credited MOVE! for the changes, as well as food education. Some of the results are not just visceral, though.
Improved energy, confidence, and better life choices were all benefits of the program. Education was a big piece as well. Sustainable habits are heavily taught in MOVE! and allow these veterans to maintain their health journey.
Realistic adjustments that are easy to make, day in and day out, allow them to gain traction and momentum. Broader goals are encouraged, but small steps are the first phase in ultimately getting up the ladder.
Getting Started
MOVE! is available through VA medical centers and many community-based outpatient clinics. Participation options may include individual counseling, group sessions, telehealth appointments and maintenance programs, depending on the local facility and a veteran’s medical needs.
Those who want to participate can ask their local VA primary care team or contact their MOVE! coordinator locally. The VA also has great educational tools as well.
For the veterans in this program, the best part of joining was that they are not alone. Seeing fellow former service members go through the same journey helped them to pull together. Improved blood pressure, massive weight loss, and greatly improved A1C measurements illustrated what can happen when the right team is behind them. Sometimes, all it takes is a reliable community to start achieving goals.
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