A New Approach to Better Health
In searching for a new direction to achieve his weight loss and health goals, Ed Cole capitalized on the inspiration and guidance available from the MOVE! team at the Lawton VA Clinic in Fort Sill, OK.
Ready to Change
Ed shares that he had been striving to reach and maintain a healthy weight for a long time. "I had struggled with weight for many years," he explains, "even while on active duty. As I was retiring from my civilian job I decided to lose this weight." His VA primary care provider recommended that he get in touch with a VA dietitian, but Ed was determined to give it a try on his own first. Eventually, he decided to work with the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans to determine what techniques and strategies might help him achieve his goals.
I can’t thank Danielle [Butler] and the MOVE! program enough for the success in losing weight, decreasing my medications, and getting my life back .
Ed Cole
Getting Precise
For Ed, a major step in progress toward his weight loss goals was learning more about exactly what his body needed to succeed. VA Dietitian Danielle Butler provided some precise information to Ed by conducting a Body Composition Measurement (BCM) and helping him develop an understanding of his body’s caloric needs. This then allowed him to transform his food and beverage choices to those that were both appealing and nutritious. Ed reflects on just how helpful this information was to him, saying, "If you’re looking for the magic bullet, it’s the BCM, not fad diets, extreme workouts, shots, pills, or fasting." In addition, Ed complemented his new healthy eating habits with consistent physical activity, like going to the gym and riding his mountain bike on a regular basis.
Enjoying His New Lifestyle
Since choosing to participate in MOVE!, Ed has lost over 40 pounds. He acknowledges his MOVE! team for their guidance and showing him strategies that support a healthier lifestyle. He enjoys having more energy to spend time with his granddaughter, while being more physically active and eating wisely. Improvements in his overall health include a more positive mindset, increased energy and mobility, the ability to run for 35 minutes, and "dramatic" improvements in his mountain biking. He is also thrilled to report much improved lab results and that he requires less medication!
