Start MOVE!-ing
Let this App Be Your Guide
With Spring right around the corner, some of us may step on the scale and see a gain of 3, 4, or maybe 5 pounds. We think back to all the brownies and cake we ate and realize that it wasn't muscle we gained. If you took a vacation from healthy habits and it's been challenging to get back into a routine, don't be discouraged. Many people need an extra push to get back on track, and your VA Health Care team is ready to help.
VA's MOVE! Coach App is a self-management tool that encourages healthy eating behavior, increases physical activity, and promotes even minor weight loss.
Vietnam War Era Army Veteran Warren Pennington from Shreveport, LA, found success with the MOVE! Coach App. 'Once I found out about MOVE! Coach, I was all about it!' said Pennington. 'It allowed me to stay at home to lose weight but still talk to my clinician, which was very helpful. When I started MOVE! Coach, I got serious about wanting to lose weight and maintain it.
Self-Management Guides
Follow the 19-week MOVE! Weight Management Program by using tools in the app to build your weight management skills and meet your health goals. Each week builds on the week before, helping you keep good habits even after you have completed the program.
Jerry Phillips was one of the first Veterans to use MOVE! Coach and has since lost 68 pounds. He is happy about how the program helped him improve his overall health and not just lose weight.
'I was not overly active before using the app, but now I have to move and do something each day,' he said. 'After starting MOVE! Coach, I went to work as a stock guy. The job keeps me incredibly physically active.' He also stays active through other activities like yard work and house renovations. 'Now that I've lost so much weight, it's much easier to do,' he said.
Diary Entries and Goal Setting
Use the app to set health goals and track information through diary entries about weight, diet, and physical activity.
'The diaries were my favorite. Before, I was eating so many calories! With MOVE! Coach, I started eating 1,800 calories a day for two weeks,' said Pennington. 'We kept the recipes we had, but put them into the recipe section of the diet diary, so we knew just how much to eat. Same food, just better portions!'
Phillips agreed, 'I liked being able to track my weight and activities in my diary. By monitoring my personalized graphs, I was able to stay more aware of what I was eating - something I continue to do now.'
'It was Doable'
MOVE! Coach works because it gives you the support you need to succeed while helping you tailor the program to your needs. It's designed for both men and women of all ability levels. Only Veterans receiving care from VA can enroll in the MOVE! The program, but the educational resources and tracking features available in the MOVE!
"[The program] was doable, with daily reinforcement and reminders," Pennington said. "With MOVE! Coach, I get something every day versus once a week with other programs. It helped me get incredibly structured about tracking what I did daily. Ultimately, you have to hold yourself accountable."
Remember, before beginning a new fitness routine or even resuming one after a long break, check with your doctor to be sure you are aware of any personal risk factors via Secure Message. The app is available in the Apple App Store.
Read More
MOVE! Coach Mobile App Overview (PDF)
Updated February 26, 2018
