Army Veteran inspires others with MOVE! weight-loss journey

Obesity is a growing health concern across the nation with an estimated 78 percent of Veterans struggling with being overweight or obese.

Army Veteran Annette Bowman, tired of being a part of that 78 percent, started her journey toward achieving a healthy weight in spring 2021 and has since lost more than 120 pounds. Now in control of her weight and health, Bowman hopes to inspire other Veterans to strive for their weight loss goals with her story.

“I knew my weight had become an issue,” she said. “Everything was harder than it should be and I always had low energy. Just bending over to pick something up was hard for me.”

Determined to change her life, Bowman made the commitment to become healthier when she joined the Columbia VA TeleMOVE! Program in June 2021.

Tired of everyday tasks feeling difficult

“I knew it was time to make a change,” she continued. “I actually started exercising and making lifestyle changes before starting the MOVE! Program. I was tired of having everyday tasks feel so much more difficult than they should.”

To help combat obesity, VA, along with the National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, designed the MOVE! program (Managing Overweight Veterans Everywhere). It helps Veterans lose weight and improve health by teaming them up with dietitians, clinicians and health coaches.

TeleMOVE! is a 3-6 month at-home telehealth version of MOVE! utilizing daily in-home education and weight monitoring using equipment provided or web-based platforms. The program provides accountability, education and self-reporting of the Veteran’s knowledge, behaviors, and symptoms.

Army Veteran Annette Bowman

Helping Veterans make behavior changes

“My goal is to help Veterans improve their health with realistic and achievable diet and exercise-related behavior change,” said MOVE! Coordinator and Dietitian Deborah Zippel. “We know that carrying excess body fat contributes to health risk. I strive to help Veterans make behavior changes and achieve a realistic weight/body composition that helps them live their best life.”

Zippel remembers Bowman was ready to commit to a change in her lifestyle and that she did not waver from her exercise routine.

“I liked that she wasn’t rigid with her diet and allowed herself to enjoy food but stayed focused on her larger goals,” Zippel said. “She was fairly independent with her weight loss efforts. We connected every few weeks and she was great about reaching out for support if needed. If I saw her weight plateau, we would problem solve together. I find that many Veterans are embarrassed to ask for help if they are slipping and this is when they need it most.”

“Not paying attention to my portions.”

Bowman attributes a lot of her weight gain to stress eating and occasionally having fast food for lunch throughout the work week.

“I had been working a lot of overtime and under a great deal of stress at work,” she added. “I was not eating healthy and not paying attention to my portions.”

Dedicated to herself and her journey, Bowman committed to core lifestyle changes, including exercising, daily walks, dietary changes and journaling. She said she realized consistency was key and, while she allowed herself to occasionally lapse, she would maintain her 1,500 calories a day diet.

Struggled but resilience got her back on track

“There were periods when she struggled, but her resilience got her back on track,” said Zippel. “She remembered what worked for her and readjusted her goals.”

MOVE! provided Bowman with a support system that is paramount to Veteran success in weight-loss. More than 18-months after committing herself, Bowman is down more than 120 pounds and said she feels better than she has in a long time.

“If someone is considering this journey, my advice is to take the first step and join the MOVE! program. You’ll have the support you need to help keep you committed,” she said.

To learn more about the MOVE! And TeleMOVE! Programs visit www.move.va.gov/MOVE/index.asp or speak to your Primary Care team.