A Fresh Perspective on Change
Refusing to be discouraged by earlier setbacks, Lucas Bryant worked with the MOVE! team at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Columbia, MO, to make healthy changes to his lifestyle and reach his weight loss goals.
Taking Another Shot
Lucas first participated in the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans several years ago, but did not finish all the sessions. Personal challenges including getting divorced and the health effects of COVID-19 contributed to his struggle, and he used food to cope with depression and anxiety. He also became withdrawn socially, which further contributed to those issues. Over time, Lucas made beneficial changes that helped him feel better and gave his self-esteem a boost. Several close coworkers provided encouragement for him as he made changes, meeting Lucas at the gym and working out with him as he began to focus in on his weight loss goals. With the motivation of wanting to be able to spend more time doing fun activities with his 9-year-old son, and a renewed sense of determination, Lucas decided to give MOVE! another try.
There is no magic bullet for weight loss, but… the fundamentals and principles of MOVE! are not complicated. You have to find your "why" and not lose that focus.
Lucas Bryant
Staying Committed to Progress
For Lucas, the principles of MOVE! were not complex. A major key to his new efforts was staying consistent and accountable along his journey. Initially interested in trying weight loss medications, a temporary shortage steered Lucas to embrace the comprehensive lifestyle change focus emphasized in MOVE! While he knew that he faced serious challenges to reaching his goals, he found motivation and support from his family, friends, and MOVE! team. The MOVE! team encouraged him to adopt new healthy eating habits, such as managing his portion sizes and the making healthier food choices. While incorporating physical activity was the biggest change for Lucas, he was able to pull from his knowledge as a former runner to help him adjust his daily routine. MOVE!’s focus on small changes over time helped Lucas understand the benefit of choices like playing with his son and taking the stairs at work, and how they contribute to his goals.
Feeling Better and Healthier
Lucas has lost over 100 pounds since starting MOVE! and has achieved much more than just a number on the scale. He reports feeling improved self-esteem and enjoys being able to do more with his son. Recently, as a reward for his progress toward better health, he and his son took a trip where they walked over 18,000 steps per day! Lucas shares that he is grateful for his MOVE! peers, whose support and accountability helped him stay on track during his journey, and for sharing their experiences which reminded him that "it’s OK to be human."
