After receiving somber news about his health, Army Veteran Charles Van Luyn was determined to change his lifestyle. Weighing close to 400 pounds, he knew that losing weight could mean the difference between life and death.
His VA primary care provider recommended him for the MOVE! Weight Management Program. MOVE! is a health promotion program designed to improve the lives of Veterans through nutritious eating behavior and increased physical activity.
In February 2021, Van Luyn began to meet one-on-one monthly with Krista Kazembe, a physical therapist and wellness coordinator for Iowa City VA’s MOVE!
“If you honestly follow this program and be honest with yourself, you can lose a lot of weight,” Van Luyn said. “From how you eat to how you shop and looking at menus at a restaurant, Move factors in all of those things.”
From 400 to 280 pounds
Van Luyn focused on changing his diet to achieve his weight loss goal of getting below 300 pounds. He worked through modules in the free MOVE! Coach app and corresponding MOVE! workbook while meeting with Kazembe to track his progress, share his eating habits, and set goals for success.
“Krista didn’t drop me even when personal things came up. She was always there if I had questions. When you have a coach who is so supportive, it makes all the difference,” he said.
Through his hard work and determination, Van Luyn completed the MOVE! curriculum in November 2022 and dropped down to 280 pounds.
“I really liked the workbook. Beginning to end, it’s very self-explanatory. It was very simple and easy to use. It takes you back to chapters you already read. Helps you mentally and physically. It has everything you need to make you successful at losing weight. I proved it,” he added.
Multiple ways to achieve goals
Iowa City VA offers multiple ways for Veterans to achieve their MOVE! goals. These include video support groups, phone coaching, a TeleMOVE! technology-based option, a video-to-home option and the MOVE! Coach app use. The system also offers a monthly support group for ongoing care.
The MOVE! Coach app is ideal for Veterans who prefer using an interactive app on their phone or tablet and working with a coach on their journey. The app modules are interactive, ask specific questions, and even include tasks, activities and videos.
Van Luyn continues to meet once a month with other Veterans in the MOVE! Support Group for ongoing encouragement and guidance, using VA Video Connect. His support group has collectively lost 625 pounds.
“You don’t have to be perfect.”
Kazembe shared some advice for Veterans who want to lose weight: “Just get started and know that you don’t have to be perfect in order to lose weight, but you can take small consistent steps over time that in the end make a big difference and lead to great weight outcomes.”
For more information about the MOVE! Program, visit the MOVE! website. If you need assistance losing weight, talk to your VA primary care provider about setting up a consultation with a MOVE! coordinator.
To read more stories on the MOVE! program, visit VA News and Information.
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Not every veteran this, not every veteran that, but it sure looks like they’re good at making excuses. I thought y’all were military veterans not kindergarten veterans, cause I know for a fact there’s no excuses in the military. I personally chose not to do the move program but that’s just a personal preference, I ain’t whining about it.
We don’t get that down here in McAlester Oklahoma. We have to call 2 and 1/2 hours away to one overbooked person in Tulsa that maybe you get to talk to every 1 to 2 months.
I did the MOVE program back in 2010 and I lost over 100lbs. It really depends on the nutritionist and team, just like any other healthcare system and program. I happened to have a really great one out in Sacramento. It requires a self-start mentality.. of course so does any weight loss program. IMHO if obesity isn’t secondary to another condition (e.g., thyroid problems) then there’s nothing stopping you from succeeding at this program.
I did the move program and gain 50 lbs. And develop divertriciium. I was a vegan before whole health at lake baldwin and lake nona are. Not diligent they do not met face to face. I was a vegan before whole health i complain about gas for years. From having to change my pcp 4 four different time since last year. I have to demand proper care that is thorough. If I dont follow up on requested consult they dont happen. Its difficult tobstay healthy when they deny your treatment for conditions and illnesses that are proven by test. They refuse to continue care and simply follow up. The nutritionists i spoke to told me a vegan i needed to eat carbs and meat. It made things worse. I was told to stop eating vegetables due to my gas issue. I was belittle and made to feel insignificant by a PA at lake Baldwin because she couldn’t answer my questions. She told me that i need Jesus and my persistent quesrions about my health were evil.
Not every veteran has money to say hmmm let get something from a restaurant menu healthy and not every veteran can cook for themselves. I’m both . I’m in this program and it’s not working for me.