An Unexpected Journey to Better Health
For Kenneth Boerma, an injury he sustained on his farm started him on a path to manage his weight and improve his health.
Kenneth worked with the MOVE! team at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center in Battle Creek, MI, to incorporate healthy habits into his lifestyle and work toward his health goals.
A Silver Lining
"My journey started when I tore the tendons in my left shoulder," Kenneth explains. Following an accident on his farm that injured his shoulder, Kenneth was told he needed a shoulder replacement. When his surgeon recommended weight loss prior to his surgery, Kenneth turned to his VA health care team for support. Learning about his options, he decided that the TeleMOVE! option of the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans offered him the opportunity to manage his weight in the comfort of his own home.
[MOVE!] works. Stay with it. Don’t give up.
Kenneth Boerma
Putting in the Work
Kenneth started TeleMOVE! and began regular check-ins with his MOVE! team. Tracking his weight and pre-planning meals according to nutrition and calorie guidance were essential parts of his strategy to be more mindful of his eating habits. "I removed a lot of the sugars and fats," Kenneth shares, "and ate more vegetables and chicken." In addition to healthier choices on his plate, Kenneth also increased his physical activity by working at his sawmill more often.
The Benefits of Better Health
Since starting MOVE!, Kenneth has lost over 60 pounds. More than just that number, though, he has noticed improvements in his life beyond the scale, including greater ease of everyday tasks. "As the weight came off every week I felt better," he recalls. "I would like to thank everyone at VA that I talked to." He also offers his encouragement for other Veterans who may wish to manage their own weight, saying, "I hope you have the same success. Stay with it and don’t give up, use your support people and friends to help."
