A Journey to Better Health
After a heart attack, Joseph Sossamon made a choice to change his life for the better and lose weight with the help of the MOVE! team at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center.
A New Start
For Joseph, the battle to maintain a healthy weight has been a lifelong one. Despite trying various diets and programs, Joseph was unable to maintain a healthy weight. "What I lost," he recalls, "came back double!" After suffering a heart attack in March 2024, Joseph committed himself to his cardiac rehabilitation plan. Part of this plan was the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans. He was determined to make the changes necessary to lose weight and improve his health.
Listen, learn, participate. Believe! Never give up!
Joseph Sossamon
Beginning to Build
Joseph started attending MOVE! group sessions once each week, where he could share his experience with a group of other Veterans on similar journeys to better health. At these sessions, Joseph learned strategies to develop a healthy lifestyle including new eating and physical activity habits. Using tools like his MOVE! Veteran Workbook and the MOVE! Food and Physical Activity Log, he was able to track and monitor the amount and types of foods he consumed. Joseph also began drinking more water and exercising 5 times per week at his local gym!
Continuing to Strive
Thanks to this new lifestyle and medication to help manage his weight, Joseph has lost 55 pounds so far. His weight loss has had a positive effect on his health, as he sleeps better, requires less medication, has less pain, and is in general much happier on a daily basis. His lab results have improved and he no longer takes medication for diabetes. Joseph is especially grateful for the support of his wife and his MOVE! team throughout his journey to better health. He plans to maintain his habits and lose even more weight as he enjoys his new, healthier life.
