Finding Balance in Better Health
Mario Morales worked with the MOVE! team at the Palo Alto VA Medical Center in Palo Alto, CA, to overcome obstacles he encountered while working on losing weight and improve his physical and mental health.
Discussing His Options
Mario shares that his struggle to maintain a healthy weight was a difficult one. "It was a combination of physical pain and my depression and anxiety increasing," he explains. "I knew I needed to make a change not just for my body but also for my mental well-being." As he dealt with feelings of sluggishness and lack of motivation, Mario began to feel discouraged and unhappy. He discussed his struggles with his VA provider, who suggested that the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans might be able to help him find a path forward. Mario recalls, "Knowing that MOVE! was designed specifically for Veterans like me made me feel like it was the right choice."
No matter where you are at physically or mentally, this program has something to offer and can help as much as you let it.
Mario Morales
A Fresh Mindset
With MOVE!, Mario discovered how a new approach to managing his weight could help him achieve lasting change. "The educational handouts on nutrition and physical activity were incredibly helpful," he recalls. "They gave me practical steps that I could easily fit into my life." Additionally, Mario shares that "the focus on behavior changes was a game-changer…how mindfulness could be used for physical and mental ailments." Mario began making healthier meal choices and incorporated realistic goals into his physical activity routine. Using a variety of tracking tools made it easier for him to see his progress and stay on course.
Continuing to Focus
Since starting MOVE!, Mario has made progress. Using the Annie MOVE! Weight Management application Mario saw that "the benefits have compounded over time," and shares, "I’ve lost over 20 pounds, which has given me more energy and improved my physical pains. I feel like I can make smarter physical and mental decisions, and my sleep has improved as well. Being able to create progress even on the bad days has helped tremendously." With gratitude for the support of his MOVE! team and fellow Veterans in MOVE!, Mario is enjoying a healthy lifestyle with more energy and clarity of mind and says he is "committed to staying on this path for the long haul."
