The Steps to Better Health
Tom Smythe learned how to turn accountability and motivation into what he needed to change his lifestyle and improve his health.
Tom worked with the MOVE! team at the Alaska VA Healthcare System in Anchorage, AK, to develop healthy habits and make small changes that added up to a large impact on his routine.
Starting to MOVE!
Army Veteran Tom first started gaining weight upon the loss of his wife in 2010. He began eating and drinking alcohol for comfort, and these habits combined to contribute to weight gain. Over time, his weight began to impact other aspects of his health. Tom began to experience hip pain, which became so severe that he underwent hip replacement surgery. Later, Tom's VA provider recommended that he try the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans to help lose weight and decrease the strain on his body. He combined this with his facility's Walk With Ease program to keep him moving and relieve his arthritis pain.
If you put in the effort, you will get the results. It's not rocket science!
Tom Smythe
Learning a New Approach
With MOVE!, Tom learned new strategies to help him reach a healthy weight. He began tracking the food and beverages he consumed, reading labels to learn nutritional information, and focusing on portion sizes. He also developed mindful eating and physical activity habits. The tools provided by MOVE! were a great help for Tom, as his pedometer helped him track his steps and the MOVE! Veteran Workbook provided a great deal of information. "Each chapter of the workbook goes over a different topic and they are all good," he explains.
Enjoying a Healthy Lifestyle
Since starting MOVE!, Tom has lost nearly 50 pounds. His weight loss has led to many improvements in his health, and the decrease in his pain has made it "much easier to do everything." He is particularly grateful to his MOVE! team and the Veterans participating alongside him for keeping him motivated and accountable throughout his journey. Tom even returned to another MOVE! class to share his story and help inspire other Veterans!
