Self-Determination With MOVE!
Nadine Schaffer dedicated herself to reaching a healthy weight and regaining her independence with the help of the MOVE! team at the Louis A. Johnson Veterans’ Administration Medical Center in Clarksburg, WV.
Setting a New Course
"I was always athletic and thought I ate correctly," Nadine recalls, "but when my health failed, my support failed." Nadine’s struggle with health conditions led to obesity and chronic pain. "I had no idea how to diet for weight loss…and really no idea where to turn," she explains. "I did not want to have surgery to correct my condition," so she reached out to the VA health care team and "requested help for weight loss." With the support of the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans Nadine resolved to make a change.
You need to be ready to MOVE!, as this is your journey, make it your best.
Nadine Schaffer
Choosing the Right Tools
Nadine began her weight loss journey with her facility MOVE! Coordinator, Heather Dyson, who introduced her to a range of MOVE! resources. Nadine found the MOVE! Food and Physical Activity Log to be helpful for tracking her healthy choices and her overall progress. She also took advantage of the MOVE! Coach mobile app, explaining that the daily intake and exercise log was "a life-saver." Those tools, along with the support of her husband and the MOVE! team, really made a difference for Nadine.
A Major Positive Impact
Since starting MOVE!, Nadine has lost 40 pounds and plans to continue working to lose even more. "I have lost weight and feel healthier [and am] enjoying the outdoors again," she explains. "Of course that would improve anyone’s mood!" In addition to improving her fitness and energy, Nadine’s day-to-day function and general health have improved too. Her progress thus far has inspired her to stay focused on improving even more in the future. Most importantly, though, she is grateful for the independence she has regained. For Nadine, there’s a feeling of "liberation" that she has since participating in MOVE!, Her healthy choices around exercise, eating wisely, and tracking her progress have left an undeniable positive impact on her life.
