How Veterans can lose weight through VA's MOVE! Program
Veteran Santiago Salazar spent years trying to reach and maintain a healthy weight on his own. When he realized that he needed a boost, the MOVE! team at Lt. Col. Luke Weathers Jr. VA Medical Center in Memphis, Tennessee, was there to provide it.
A Lasting Foundation
Salazar had struggled to maintain a healthy weight for much of his life. He had tried intermittent fasting and weight loss supplements, but any results were always temporary. Along with his weight, Salazar started to experience health problems including high blood pressure and poor sleep. Dealing with those conditions "made it harder to stay active and maintain the energy I once had," he explains. Salazar brought his concerns to his VA care team, who shared the option of participating in the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans. He decided to give it a try, noting that "doing it alone" hadn’t been working.
Setting Goals and Staying Accountable
Far from being on his own, Salazar found a structured, evidence-based approach enhanced by the support of his MOVE! team. They helped him learn and develop strategies that worked in him and his lifestyle. SMART goal-setting was especially valuable for Salazar, allowing him to "break down a massive goal into small wins that I could actually achieve." He also developed the awareness to manage portion sizes and choose meals and snack based on their nutritional content. The tools offered by MOVE! were a big asset for Salazar, as he used the MOVE! Coach app and MOVE! Food and Physical Activity Log to keep track and adjust his plan along the way. He also relied on the support and encouragement of his VA Memphis Healthcare System MOVE! team, including Casey Provo, Joanna Pascal, and Faith Keating, to stay motivated and accountable.
"These tools and people didn’t just help me lose weight; they helped me stay consistent even on the days when my motivation was low," Salazar said.
No Signs of Stopping
Salazar lost nearly 80 pounds while participating in MOVE! weekly group sessions and has experienced what he referred to as "a total transformation" in his health. His blood pressure has improved significantly along with his lab results.
"My life is fundamentally different now because I no longer feel held back by my weight," he shares. "I have transitioned from being frustrated with my weight struggles to being someone who genuinely enjoys life more."
He plans to continue his new, healthy lifestyle, keeping the support and accountability going through MOVE! Maintenance group. "It’s not about the weight you lose," Salazar explains, "but the life you get back."
Resources for Success
Veterans participating in the MOVE! Program at the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers Jr. VA Medical Center have access to specialized resources designed to support their health and wellness goals. Among them is a body composition analyzer, a technology available at only two VA medical facilities across the Veterans Integrated System Network (VISN) 9 region. Unlike a traditional scale, the device provides a more comprehensive assessment by measuring factors such as body fat percentage, muscle mass, and overall body composition, giving Veterans and their care teams additional insight to help guide treatment decisions and track progress over time.
"We know weight management is challenging and that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach," said Casey Provo, MOVE! Program Coordinator at the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers Jr. VA Medical Center. "MOVE! provides the tools, resources, and education, but the real magic is in the support Veterans offer one another."
Veterans interested in learning more about the MOVE! Program or attending a weekly session can view upcoming classes and events here.
"This is more than just a weight loss program—it’s about building meaningful behavior changes that improve your overall health and well-being. The confidence Veterans gain in managing chronic illnesses, becoming more physically active, reducing medications, and simply feeling better is truly inspiring," said Provo.