Connecting With MOVE! "Made All the Difference"
Tammie Dearmond changed her life for the better with the support of family and expertise and accountability she found with MOVE!.
Realizing both expected and unexpected results, Tammie’s experience with the MOVE! team at the Dayton VA Medical Center in Dayton, OH, empowered her to make positive changes she can sustain for the long term.
A New Journey
Tammie shares that before joining the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans, her physical health issues were only part of the picture. "My weight impacted my mental health more than anything," she explains. "I was never happy with how I looked, and when I was already dealing with physical pain in my knees and back, the added mental stress was near crippling." Tammie had tried a number of diet programs, but did not achieve lasting success. Tammie didn’t struggle with finding or maintaining the motivation to change, but without the right tools, she says she wasn’t sure what to do. When her health care team recommended MOVE!, Tammie was hopeful to try a new method that would help her balance her physical and mental health concerns while working toward better health
MOVE! is not just education. It’s personalized to everyone’s needs.
Tammie Dearmond
A New Mindset
When Tammie began her journey with MOVE!, she quickly realized that she was now able to approach weight management from a different perspective than she had in the past. "It takes the whole person into account," she recalls, "where you are struggling with weight, medications, a physical disability, or mental health, they keep that all in mind to make sure needs are met and addressed." In addition to learning how to track her physical activity, be mindful about portion sizes, and make healthy food choices, Tammie also drew strength from the support of Veterans in her group sessions and from her MOVE! team. Reflecting on the Veterans in her groups Tammie says, "The goal was always to see each other succeed and to celebrate the progress and victories no matter how big or small." Regarding her MOVE! team, Tammie shares, "MOVE! let me take the lead and discover what worked for me on my own. Having that…ability to check in and get feedback made me more likely to follow through."
Establishing a Balance
Drawing from the lessons she learned with MOVE!, Tammie developed a new, healthy lifestyle that allowed her to manage her weight and improve her health. Most importantly, she shares that she embraced this change while balancing being active, being mindful, and being kind to herself. She thanks her "irreplaceable and invaluable" friends for their support throughout her journey, and continues to work to achieve her best health. She has lost over 30 pounds since starting MOVE!, and for Tammie, her newfound confidence, energy, and kindness to herself have made a great difference in all aspects of life.
