Answering the Call for Better Health
Steven Eggleston responded to his body’s wake up call by choosing to lose weight and worked with the MOVE! team at the South Oklahoma City VA Clinic to help him focus on his overall health.
Starting Fresh
"The day my doctor looked me in the eye and told me my A1C was 11.2, it was like being hit by a freight train," Steven recalls. "I had ignored the aches and fatigue, blaming them on work stress and aging. I’d feel short of breath just going up a flight of stairs, my joints groaned with every step, and my energy levels were practically nonexistent." For Steven, his weight had begun to affect every aspect of his life. "Starting insulin injections was the stark reality I couldn’t ignore anymore. I knew I was heading toward dangerous territory if I didn’t do something soon," he explains. When his primary care provider suggested the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans, Steven resolved to change his life for the better.
Stick with it, it works. There will be setbacks and frustrations some weeks, but you have to keep pushing forward.
Steven Eggleston
Small Changes Over Time
"With the help of my MOVE! coach and dietitian, Matthew Jacobs, I was able to set small, achievable goals instead of trying to overhaul my entire life overnight," Steven explains. Simple changes like drinking more water and being mindful of the sorts of food he consumed helped Steven begin his progress. Building on these healthy habits, along with increasing his physical activity, Steven started to see positive change. "At first, it felt like nothing was happening, but over time, the small wins added up. I learned to celebrate progress, not perfection, and to focus on my overall health."
Maintaining Progress With MOVE!
"MOVE! helped me develop a sustainable plan that I could actually stick to, not some fad diet that would only set me back in the long run," Steven shares. "It was a slow, gradual process, and I had some very frustrating setbacks along the way, but I now understand that taking care of my body isn’t just about avoiding the insulin needle; it’s about living a life I enjoy." Thanks to his efforts and the support and guidance of his MOVE! team, family, and friends, Steven is proud of the more than 60 pounds he has lost, a 10" decrease in his waist size, and no more insulin injections. He is breathing better and feeling good. And if those accomplishments were not enough, he shares that "the bigger accomplishment is that I’ve maintained that goal for nearly an additional year."
