The Strength to Heal
The guidance and support of the MOVE! team at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System empowered Richard Diaz to adopt a new lifestyle, navigating around obstacles and improving his overall health and well-being.
Choosing a Path Forward
Richard’s dedication to military service spanned three decades and four overseas combat tours, during which he was honored for his service and learned the true weight of sacrifice, resilience, and discipline. After retirement, Richard faced a new battle: combating physical decline and weight gain from physical injuries and PTSD. Determined to turn things around, he focused on health, recovery, and quality of life beyond the uniform. His experience with the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans reflected another sort of strength, one not only to serve, but to heal.
If I could share one thing about MOVE! with other Vets it would be to not wait another minute and get involved…You won’t regret it.
Richard Diaz
Working Toward His Goal
Richard recalls that after starting MOVE!, he embraced new habits. "I changed my diet and began to exercise," he explains. Pairing these new lifestyle changes with medication prescribed by his VA care team Richard achieved consistent weight loss. "Thanks to all the wonderful people and resources available to me through the VA and the MOVE! program," he reports, "I’ve been able to lose 50 pounds in the last 10 months!"
Striving for Further Progress
Richard knows that his hard work has paved the way for continued progress. "I still deal with my injuries," he explains, "but I’ve seen an improvement in my day-to-day quality of life. Prior to my involvement with MOVE!, I had very little physical activity, no energy, [and suffered from] migraines, sinus issues, and poor sleep." Now, however, "I’m able to have a better sense of well-being both mentally and physically." Thanks to this new perspective, Richard is happy to enjoy activities like his local bowling league, where an early motivator on his health journey was to fit better into his bowling shirt.
