A Decade of Success
After committing to a healthy lifestyle, Ray Hartman remained disciplined and enjoyed the rewards for many years.
Ray worked with the MOVE! team at the VA Butler Healthcare System in Cranberry Township, PA, to develop the small, healthy habits that made all the difference in managing his weight.
An Opportunity to Change
After leaving the service in 1970, Ray explains, he became less physically active and began to gain weight. His career often required him to be seated most of the day and he found himself making food choices that were not so healthy. Ray occasionally tried to lose weight along with his wife, but seldom found any lasting success. When a nurse at his local VA suggested the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans, Ray decided to give it a try and see if working together with other Veterans could help him achieve his goals.
If you put the time in, [MOVE!] really works. All of the instructors are very good and into the program."
Ray Hartman
The Home Team
Ray enrolled in MOVE! group sessions in 2013 and has been participating in the program ever since. While learning healthy eating and physical activity strategies helped Ray build a healthier lifestyle, he explains that MOVE! was about more than just the information. He also notes the adaptability of MOVE! to meet the needs of each individual Veteran. The accountability and camaraderie of the group setting and the other Veterans he saw at every meeting helped him stay motivated. For Ray, MOVE! group sessions were a chance to share in a collective effort, including spouses if desired, to achieve goals and better health together.
The Importance of Better Health
Since 2013, Ray has lost nearly 80 pounds with MOVE!. He explains that more than simply losing the weight, his healthier lifestyle allows him to enjoy the more important things in his life, such as time with his grandchildren, stating specifically, "I want to live to see my grandkids grow up." Ray’s blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels have all improved since he adopted his healthier habits, and he continues to stay active to ensure further success. Says Ray, "I have learned so much that I could do it on my own if I had to!"
