MOVE! Weight management program

MOVE! is the VA’s national weight management program, and is also available to Veterans receiving care at VA Long Beach. MOVE!’s core components—the combination of behavioral strategies, nutrition changes, and increased physical activity to promote weight loss—are easy to follow and based on the latest nutrition science. MOVE! program is lead by Registered Dietitian Nutritionists who are trained nutrition experts in weight loss.

How to join the MOVE! program

Veterans currently receiving care at VA Long Beach: Join MOVE! and lose weight by calling and requesting enrollment in MOVE! Orientation.

Veterans currently receiving care at another VA medical center or clinic, please reach out to your local VA and request a referral to MOVE!

MOVE! can help you adopt a healthy lifestyle, meet your health goals, and manage you weight. MOVE! is about much more than weight. It is about increasing your ability and confidence to achieve your health goals.

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 you want to do.

With the help of your MOVE! care team, you can:

Improve your quality of life, and even live longer
Reduce health risks
Prevent for reverse certain diseases

Sessions/groups available

MOVE! Orientation Session (1st Step)

This group session is the first step in joining the MOVE! program.

One time, 60-minute group session.
Session provides general nutrition principles for successful weight management.
Topics include: Behavior change, eating to support health, meal spacing and timing, balanced snack ideas, liquid calories, and physical activity.
MOVE! Orientation is available via self-referral year round. Join MOVE! and lose weight by calling and request enrollment in MOVE! Orientation.

MOVE! Group Series (2nd step)

14-weekly group sessions lead by the MOVE! interdisciplinary team, which includes: Registered Dietitians, Kinesiotherapists, and Mental Health providers.

Group sessions available a on various times and days.
Sessions are 60–minutes in length
Topics include: Goal setting, portion control, meal planning and preparation, eating out and healthful nutrition, lifestyle change, physical activity, stress management, and much more!
MOVE! Veteran Workbook will be provided, with curriculum followed throughout series, with goal setting and progress check-ins at each session.

After MOVE! Group Series

MOVE! Kinesiotherapy (KT) Exercise Program: Exercise instruction for weight loss provided by MOVE! Registered KT providers.

Must complete MOVE! Group series for eligibility

MOVE! Support Group

MOVE! Support Group: Monthly video sessions that provide additional instruction and weight loss support after 14-week series.

Weight Loss Medication

Weight loss medication may be available after starting the 14-week series.

MOVE! does not prescribe weight loss medication. After starting the 14-week series, contact your Primary Care team to discuss prescription options.

Bariatric Surgery

VA also offers weight management surgery, getting started with MOVE! is the first step toward surgery pathway. Talk with your health care team to learn if surgery is right for you.

Weight loss surgery is permanent and non-reversible tool to achieve meaningful weight loss.
Veterans interested in bariatric surgery must first complete MOVE! 14-week series, as the first step in the bariatric pathway. Join the MOVE! program and discuss with MOVE! dietitians to determine eligibility.