Boosting Energy and Confidence With Better Health
Tanya Yates turned her dissatisfaction into motivation and changed her life with small, healthy habits she learned from the MOVE! team at the Jack C. Montgomery Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Muskogee, OK.
Reasons to Change
Tanya’s weight loss journey began as an effort to improve her health. "I realized that all of my medical problems were linked to my weight," she recalls. "I was fed up." Unhappy with her weight, energy, and self-confidence, Tanya knew that she needed to make a change to live the life she desired. During a visit with her primary care provider she explained how she was feeling. Her provider recommended the MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans as a resource. Tanya signed up for TeleMOVE! so that she could work toward her goals from the comfort and convenience of her own home.
I learned to listen to my body.
Tanya Yates
Starting Her Journey
After starting TeleMOVE!, Tanya began collecting lifestyle change tools to help her reach her weight loss goals. In addition to the MOVE! Veteran Workbook, she received a scale and a smartwatch to help track her progress. She also purchased a food scale that she used to measure the portions of food that she cooked and consumed. Tanya lost 50 pounds by adjusting her eating and drinking habits and was curious about whether bariatric surgery could supplement her efforts. By the time of her surgery, she had lost an additional 55 pounds and set a new goal for another 100 pounds of weight loss. She had also done her homework to find out the details of her surgery and how it would change her routine, including her meals and activity.
Enjoying Better Health
Today, Tanya has lost 200 pounds since first starting MOVE! and improved her health significantly. Now, at 2 years after her surgery and maintaining her weight loss, Tanya shares, "[I’m] off all blood pressure medicines and high cholesterol medicines," and "my thyroid medicine was lowered. I have more energy, no joint issues, more self-esteem, more enthusiasm for life." Tanya has made lifestyle changes that will help her maintain her progress, including weighing and measuring portions, using smaller plates, and listening to her body and knowing when she is full. She is especially grateful for the support of her friends and family throughout her journey, as well as the constant assistance from her MOVE! team. She shares "I feel great. I want to continue feeling great and live a long and happy life and enjoy my grandchildren."
