Surviving and Thriving
After recovering from a stroke, Scott Roberts turned to MOVE! to help him learn to manage his weight and achieve better health.
Scott worked with the MOVE! team at the Palo Alto VA Medical Center in Palo Alto, CA, to develop a healthy lifestyle with new eating and physical activity habits.
Making a Fresh Start
Scott shares that for most of his life, maintaining a healthy weight had been simple. He ate well most of the time, and his work in the military and as a civilian kept him physically active. After suffering a stroke in 2020, however, Scott began to gain weight. A family photo then presented him with an uncomfortable realization. "When I took a look at the photo," he recalls, "I did not recognize myself and I knew in that moment I had to do something about it." When Scott’s provider recommended the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans, he saw an opportunity for a fresh start.
Pay attention and be present… If you want a chance to help yourself, that’s the only way to move forward.
Scott Roberts
Putting in the Work
Scott started MOVE! by registering for TeleMOVE!, which allowed him to participate in the program from the comfort of his home. In addition to this virtual option, he began attending group classes to learn together with other Veterans. With MOVE!, Scott soon learned new strategies to transform his eating and physical activity habits. "Before MOVE!, I never took a look at nutrition labels of my food," he explains. "Now, my partner and I take a look at everything before deciding what to buy and eat." Through participation in the physical activity-focused Be Active and MOVE! group sessions, Scott was connected with resources that helped him incorporate Tai Chi into his exercise routine.
Seeing Signs of Progress
Since starting MOVE!, Scott has lost over 40 pounds, and shares that he now has more energy and improved balance. He feels safer and more comfortable with his body, and his blood pressure is lower, too. Scott credits his partner for her support throughout his journey with MOVE!. "I am not planning to stop my new healthy habits, I want to stick to my changes" Scott says, so he can enjoy life together with his partner.
