Choosing to Take Control
Timothy Eastman turned a corner in his struggle to maintain a healthy weight by making small, realistic, and sustainable changes.
Timothy worked with the MOVE! team at the Vancouver VA Medical Center in Vancouver, WA, to transform his behaviors and create a healthy lifestyle.
Inspired to Change
Timothy shares that his struggle to maintain a healthy weight had lasted for several years when he turned to the VA for help. He’d tried diets before and achieved some change but had found lasting results elusive. Timothy’s VA provider recommended the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans to help him achieve his goals and maintain them for the long term.
[MOVE!] helped me take control of my eating habits and focus on ways to help myself change bad habits.
Timothy Eastman
Learning New Methods
Starting MOVE! in July 2023, Timothy benefited from the tools, information, and support shared by his MOVE! team. "I feel that I was given many tools to help me make life-changing habits," he recalls. Among the information and resources provided to Timothy were strategies to make healthier eating choices. By learning about healthier options, as well as being mindful about portion size, Timothy shifted the effect of his diet on his weight from unhelpful to helpful. He also discovered the importance of being physically active and is now exercising several times per week, sharing, "I just make myself turn off the TV and move."
Seeing the Effects
Timothy has lost 25 pounds since starting MOVE!. His message to fellow Veterans is to "remember that the weight didn’t come on overnight. It will take time and patience to come off." Motivated by his progress so far, he’s determined to continue his effort for even more health benefits. He explains that even though "I’m still trying to get to a healthy weight," he has noticed improvements in the quality of his sleep and his use of strategies to manage stress. He credits his MOVE! team and his wife for their support and motivation throughout his journey, and thanks to a positive perspective, he is excited to see even more health benefits in the future.
