Getting Serious and Feeling Good
For Michael Fay, rising to the challenge of changing his lifestyle and improving his health was a matter of commitment.
Michael worked with the MOVE! team at the Colmery-O'Neil Veterans' Administration Medical Center in Topeka, KS, to develop a more active and mindful approach to his routine.
A Fresh Start
Michael shares that in the ten years prior to starting MOVE!, he had begun to gain what he felt was an unhealthy amount of weight. This contributed to difficulty breathing which required medication to manage. Unhappy with the state of his health, Michael resolved to make a change for the better. In August of 2023, he started the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans with weight loss as his "number one goal."
If you are serious, you can do it. I, of all people, did it.
Michael Fay
A Good Plan
For Michael, some great benefits of being in MOVE! were the information and strategies he learned to help him focus on healthy nutrition and exercise. Participating alongside other Veterans and using tools like the MOVE! Food and Activity Log and a pedometer, he began building new habits. MOVE! emphasized the importance of mindful eating, which included limiting portion size and choosing foods to help him lose weight and improve his health. It also encouraged him to increase his physical activity in ways that were enjoyable and comfortable for him.
A Path Forward
Thanks to the changes he made, Michael was able to lose even more weight than he originally planned. After his group sessions ended, he continued to apply the strategies he had learned and by one year after starting his journey, Michael had lost nearly 90 pounds. His weight loss has also led to a number of health benefits. He reports improved lab results and lung function, and he is enjoying his increased energy compared to a year ago. He is grateful for the support of his healthcare team, especially MOVE! Coordinator Chelbie Glenn, and shares that he plans to maintain the changes he has made so that he can continue to enjoy his improved health.
