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MOVE! Weight Management Program

MOVE! is the VA’s comprehensive lifestyle intervention designed to help Veterans self-manage their health and weight using evidence-based tools and strategies, discussion, reflection, and support from others. If you have a higher body weight, losing 5%-10% of your weight can improve your health. Keeping a weight that is healthy for you can help you feel good and have energy to do the things that matter most to you. The MOVE! Program focuses on three core aspects of weight management: nutrition, behavioral counseling, and physical activity

How do I join the VA Loma Linda MOVE! Program?

If you are receiving care at VA Loma Linda, contact our office directly at  to be scheduled into our orientation class - Jumpstart.  This one-time class is held virtually over VA Video Connect (VVC) as well as in-person at the Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) in Redlands and is the first step towards joining the MOVE! Program.

In this session you will:

  • Consider what is important in your life and how your whole health affects it
  • Learn how the MOVE! Program and other VA Loma Linda lifestyle interventions can support your health and weight management goals.
  • Decide whether now is the right time to work on weight management. If it is, enroll in a MOVE! program option or begin working on weight management independently.

MOVE! Program Options

After attending the MOVE! Jumpstart Orientation, you can choose to enroll in a flexible program option that works best for you.  These programs are led by various MOVE! clinicians that include Registered Dietitians, Registered Nurses, Psychologists, Physical Therapists, Physicians and Social Workers.

MOVE! Groups

  • These clinician-led groups offer 12-weekly sessions offered virtually or in-person at the ACC and participating Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCS).
  • Groups are offered at various times & days during the week and throughout the year.
  • These groups follow the 16-module MOVE! curriculum which can be found on the MOVE! program’s website: MOVE! Program Materials
  • You and your MOVE! facilitator will help set SMART goals towards improving your nutrition, physical activity, and health behaviors.
    • SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic, and Time-based.
    • Learn more about SMART goals here. 

TeleMOVE!

  • A 90-day in-home messaging program for those that prefer to review MOVE! materials on their own with periodic check-ins with a clinician to evaluate your goals.
  • You will receive Home Telehealth devices to complete daily health sessions. Web-based options are also available.
  • Must have Primary Care Provider within VA to be eligible. 

MOVE! Maintenance

  • Available to those who have completed a 12-week MOVE! group or the 90-day TeleMOVE! program and are interested in further weight loss or weight maintenance.
  • Offered monthly over VVC to help reinforce key maintenance concepts and keep you accountable to your health goals long-term.
  • For most people, weight management is a life-long journey. Having continued support, education, and accountability with a VA MOVE! Clinician can help you stay on track with your weight loss journey.

Be Active and MOVE!

  • This 8-week virtual group led by a Physical Therapist provides Veterans with supervised group physical activity.
  • Available to those currently enrolled or have completed a MOVE! group or TeleMOVE! 

Support Tools

These are tools that may be used with the options above. When used alone they are not Program participation options.

MOVE! ® Coach app

  • This smart phone app is available on Apple iTunes or the Google Play store and provides you with weight management education and resources in an easy and convenient way.
  • Users can monitor their progress with their health and weight goals.
  • Includes the full 16-module MOVE! curriculum, exercise and calorie trackers, tools to manage stress and additional resources on health behaviors, nutrition, and physical activity.
  • Learn more here:  MOVE! Coach App 

Annie

  • A VA Text messaging service that empowers Veterans to take an active role in their health care by sending various automated self-care reminders.
  • This self-care tool can motivate you to stay on track with your health goals.
  • Learn more here:  Annie for Veterans

Weight Management Medications and Metabolic/Bariatric Surgery

  • Some Veterans may benefit from additional interventions for weight management like medication or surgery.
  • The MOVE! Program does not prescribe medications or perform surgery but provides the recommended comprehensive lifestyle intervention which is the foundation for all interventions to treat obesity.
  • You will need to be actively participating in MOVE! or similar Comprehensive Lifestyle Intervention to be considered for a weight management medication.
  • To learn if any of these treatment options are right for you, please discuss with your healthcare provider.
  • Additional information on Weight management medications is available here: Weight Management Medications
  • Additional information on metabolic/bariatric surgery is available here: Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

 

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