A journey to health: David's story of transformation at the Jackson VA

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David worked with the MOVE! team at the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Jackson, MS, to adopt healthy behaviors and start managing his weight.

For David, the experience that motivated him to change his lifestyle and pursue better health was a visit from his grandson. "I live alone," he shares, "and was excited that my grandson was

coming for the summer. I had planned to go different places and do different things with him." David soon found that it was difficult to maintain those plans, however. "My knees were

swollen, and I wasn't in the best of health," he recalls. Moving was difficult, and he lacked energy. His grandson soon asked to go home, and once he did, David realized enough was enough.

"My mind was made up," he explains. "The weight had to go." David had tried the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans twice before, but began again with new conviction to change for

the long term.

After starting MOVE! again, David began adjusting both his eating and physical activity habits. For David, MOVE! was effective in inspiring lasting change because it stressed repetition of

healthy behaviors, provided useful information about the foods that would help him on his journey, and offered him support from his MOVE! team. In addition to encouragement from the MOVE!

team and his family, David leaned on his faith to help him stay committed to his lifestyle change. "I sought guidance from God and asked that He lead my every step, and I feel that He has,"

David explains.

Since starting MOVE!, David has lost 125 pounds! This weight loss has produced many health benefits. He has drastically reduced his required medications for blood pressure and diabetes and

feels that his chronic knee pain has decreased. Most importantly, however, David is now able to spend more time with his grandson, which he shares is the joy of his life. With a healthy

lifestyle and positive mindset, David looks forward to a future of maintaining his success.