By Treva Lutes

Communications Director, VA’s Office of Connected Care

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.”

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.