The Road to Recovery Leads to Better Health
After suffering injuries that led to an increase in weight, Veteran Daniel Haws developed small, healthy habits to turn things around.
Daniel worked with the MOVE! team at the Sierra Vista VA Clinic in Sierra Vista, AZ to build a new lifestyle and achieve his weight management goals.
Finding the Right Start
In 2017, Daniel was involved in a serious auto crash. One of the major consequences of his injuries was a lack of mobility, which inevitably led to weight gain. This weight gain in turn led to other health issues, and in time, Daniel explains, "I knew I needed to make some lifestyle changes and lose a lot of weight." While he achieved some weight loss success on his own, Daniel says that once he started the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans in March 2022, "suddenly it all clicked."
Everything has changed for the better. I am off all my medications. I look and feel great…I love this healthy lifestyle.
Daniel Haws
A New Mindset
With MOVE!, Daniel explains, "I now had the information and tools to go with my motivation." With those tools and information, Daniel began to develop new habits for eating and drinking. Making healthier food and beverage choices, monitoring his portion sizes, and tracking his calorie intake all contributed to a more mindful perspective on food. In addition to these efforts, Daniel also increased his physical activity. His routine now involves going to the gym 5 days per week and making sure to walk on the days that he doesn't!
A Collective Effort
Daniel shares that "VA staff, family, and friends have all been supportive and encouraging" throughout his journey to better health. Even better, he says, "many family members and friends are amazed at the difference and now want to join as well in this lifestyle change. I have gone from student to teacher." For Daniel, helping others achieve the same success keeps him motivated to continue his healthy lifestyle. Since starting MOVE!, he has lost nearly 40 pounds and is determined to keep working toward even greater success.
