Spring resident takes part in VA's free weight-loss program

Army Veteran Francisco Ortiz gives the thumbs-up to his continued weight loss at a MOVE! meeting with registered dietitian Jordyn Forsyth.

Army veteran Francisco Ortiz made a decision to live a healthier, longer life and to do so joined the Managing Overweight and/or Obesity for Veterans Everywhere (MOVE!) program at the encouragement of his dietitian at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.

MOVE! is part of the VA's weight-management program to help veterans lose weight, keep it off and improve their health. Within the program are many subprograms such as TeleMOVE!, a tele health weight-reduction program done from home with the help of a Health Buddy, digital scale, pedometer and access to a Care Coordinator; MOVE! Individual, in which a veteran works one-on-one with a registered dietitian; MOVE! Group, with four two-hour sessions about nutrition, exercise and lifestyle changes; and MOVE! Support Groups.

Ortiz chose to follow the TeleMOVE! path.

"The TeleMOVE! program helped me stay motivated; the Health Buddy made it much easier," Ortiz said in a news release. "It makes you accountable and teaches you how to make better food choices and gives you the tools you need to achieve a healthy lifestyle. My ultimate goal is better health. This program is definitely worth it. Veterans who try it will not be disappointed. The help and support you get from VA staff is super."

The program aims to teach veterans how to become healthier through emphasis on health and well-being as achievable goals. Behavioral changes, nutrition and physical activities are taught.

"I have lost 9 percent of my body weight," said Ortiz. "The support group meetings make you realize that you are not alone in this journey and others have the same issues as you."

Any veteran receiving care at MEDVAMC or one of its outpatient clinics can participate in MOVE!