Putting It All Together
Motivated by a desire to feel and function better, Carl Chancey combined what he already knew about healthy habits with information and strategies he discovered while participating in MOVE! at the VA Medical Center in Brockton, MA.
Motivation Over Medication
Carl’s motivation to make lifestyle changes came in 2021 when he realized that his weight was negatively affecting his health. He was experiencing poor sleep due to sleep apnea, difficulty breathing, pain and swelling, and depression. Carl reached out to his VA provider, Dr. Halasz, to ask about weight management medication. His doctor described the MOVE! Weight Management Program’s effectiveness at supporting Veterans with weight loss and Carl was inspired by his doctor’s belief that he could progress toward his goals without the use of medications.
[MOVE!] takes time and patience and can be frustrating at times; however, once you begin to see and feel the weight coming off and your clothes start to get smaller, the benefit really sinks in, and you just want to keep going in that direction.
Carl Chancey
Collaborating for Change
Unlike his past efforts to lose weight, this time, Carl felt like he had a comprehensive strategy. "I found the integration of professional support to be the most helpful," he explains. "I had never experienced this all-in-one approach before or even thought about weight management this way. However, it makes perfect sense." Carl took advantage of the healthy cooking skills that he learned from his late wife and complemented them with new changes like reading nutrition labels, making healthy grocery choices, and expanding his selections when dining out to include healthier alternatives.
Reaching His Goals
"My benefits have been immense," Carl shares. He’s thrilled to be breathing and sleeping better, moving more and without any pain, and his mood and lab results have improved as well! Carl has lost over 100 pounds since starting MOVE! and has maintained this weight for more than 2 years. He explains how MOVE! gave him exactly the support he needed to understand his eating habits and then to gradually make healthy adjustments to what is now his new normal. Looking forward to a future of better health and a healthy weight, Carl plans to continue the new lifestyle he’s built.
