Veteran Reclaims His Health Through VA’s TeleMOVE! Program
By Wyatt Anthony, Public Affairs Specialist
When Army Veteran James J. Galluzzo III realized he was out of breath climbing a single flight of stairs, he knew something had to change.
At 52 years old and weighing 235 pounds — the highest weight of his life — Galluzzo faced a reality he could no longer ignore. Once a multiple-time Army Ten-Miler runner, he struggled with declining fitness, worsening lab results and clothes that no longer fit.
“I kept telling myself I was just getting older,” Galluzzo said. “But my lab work and how I felt every day told a different story.”
During a routine annual physical at the Columbia VA Health Care System’s (VAHCS) Dorn VA Medical Center (VAMC), Galluzzo’s health care team recommended VA’s MOVE! Weight Management Program. Motivated by his desire to stay healthy and active in retirement — and with encouragement from his wife — Galluzzo committed fully to the program.
He enrolled in the TeleMOVE program through the Columbia VAHCS in August 2025 and completed the six-month program in January 2026. Throughout the program, Galluzzo used MOVE!’s digital tools, including a mobile app, activity tracker, scale and regular virtual coaching sessions.
“The daily accountability made the difference,” Galluzzo said. “Weighing in, tracking calories, recording steps and meeting with my MOVE! coach kept me consistent.”
Melissa DiMarino, TeleMOVE coordinator at Dorn VAMC, said Galluzzo’s success reflects the power of consistency and commitment.
“James fully engaged with the program and used the tools exactly as intended,” DiMarino said. “His progress shows what Veterans can achieve when they stay committed, lean into accountability and focus on building sustainable habits rather than quick fixes.”
Galluzzo adopted lasting lifestyle changes, including walking 8,000 to 10,000 steps per day, scheduling regular workouts at the gym or at home, and shifting to more nutrient-dense meals with an emphasis on vegetables and balanced nutrition.
By the end of the program, Galluzzo lost 45 pounds. His energy levels increased, his cholesterol and A1C levels improved significantly, and he returned to clothing sizes he had not worn in years.
“My December lab results were fantastic,” he said. “Across the board, the difference was undeniable.”
Galluzzo credits much of his success to the support system around him — particularly his MOVE! coach, his VA health care team and his wife of 31 years, who participated in the lifestyle changes alongside him.
“Having someone invested in my success mattered,” Galluzzo said. “And doing this together with my wife made it sustainable.”
Today, Galluzzo remains committed to the habits he built through MOVE! and considers himself in the program’s maintenance phase. He continues to prioritize physical activity, including using a walking pad in his office, and has embraced healthy cooking as a new passion.
The results have extended well beyond the scale. On a recent cruise, Galluzzo climbed Mayan ruins in Mexico and swam in a cenote — experiences he once feared his health would limit.
“If I could tell every Veteran one thing about MOVE!, it would be this: the goal is progress, not perfection,” Galluzzo said. “Just keep at it, use the tools and stay mentally committed.”
Galluzzo now encourages fellow Veterans to take advantage of VA’s MOVE! program and invest in their long-term health.
“This program works,” he said. “And it can change your life.”
For more information about what’s going on at the Columbia VA medical center, clinic locations, and other services available to Veterans in and around Columbia, visit the website https://www.va.gov/columbia-south-carolina-health-care/ and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, keyword: VAColumbiaSC.