Army Veteran Tanya Yates stepped on the scale at a primary care appointment. It read 350 pounds.

Yates had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, thyroid issues and chronic exhaustion. She was taking several medications to get through the day. That number on the scale opened her eyes to how far her health had slipped.

“I was tired of being tired from simple things like walking across the room,” Yates said. “Tired of my joints hurting every time I bent down to tie my shoes. Tired of sitting out of family events because I couldn’t keep up. I was done being that person.”

Yates knew the change wouldn’t be easy. After stepping off the scale, she asked her doctor for help.

Joining MOVE!

She learned about the MOVE!, VA’s weight management program designed specifically for Veterans.

MOVE! helps Veterans make changes and build healthier habits that they can stick to throughout their weight loss journey. MOVE! offers tools and strategies for healthy eating, staying active and managing health conditions.

Yates worked closely with her VA dietitians, Misty Pilgrim and Elizabeth Oferczak, to track her food, measure portions and make healthier choices, including buying smaller plates.

“The weight started coming off, not fast, but slow and steady,” Yates said. “After losing over 50 pounds, I realized I needed more help, so I asked about bariatric surgery.”

Bariatric surgery is a treatment for obesity. It changes the structure of the digestive system to limit how much food the stomach can hold.

A tool to stay on track

By June 2023, Yates had lost 105 pounds; however, her health risks remained.

Despite her progress, obesity impacted her daily life. The weight she still needed to lose strained her body. Diet and exercise routines were not enough to eliminate the health risks she continued to face.

“The surgery isn’t a quick fix,” Yates said. “I needed more help to reach my goal weight.”

With bariatric surgery as part of her plan, Yates lost another 100 pounds, bringing her total weight loss to 205 pounds.

She’s now off blood pressure and cholesterol medications and her thyroid medication has been reduced.

“I feel better than I have in years. I have more energy and do things I wouldn’t before,” Yates said.

Dietary changes become sustainable choices

On her journey, Yates eliminated five foods permanently: potatoes, pasta, bread, rice, and soda—all foods that are high in calories and carbohydrates and don’t support her health goals.

Yates swapped out starch-heavy and sugary foods for alternatives like cauliflower rice and zero-net-carb tortillas, making meals that fit her new healthy lifestyle.

“I didn’t cut everything out, but I had to make changes to stay on track,” Yates said. “I’m not depriving myself—I found balance.”

Trust the process

Along the way, Yates faced several plateaus. Her weight loss slowed, and sometimes she felt like she wasn’t making progress. But instead of getting frustrated, she took action.

She reviewed her food logs and adjusted her meals to ensure she was eating enough protein. She also added more vegetables and water. She reminded herself that this process would be slow and steady, and that staying consistent was what truly mattered.

Andrew Wunder, Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System’s MOVE! coordinator, explained that this is a common part of weight loss.

“Plateaus happen. The body adjusts, and the weight doesn’t always come off as quickly as you want,” Wunder said. “But the key is sticking with it and adjusting your plan.”

Support from MOVE! and family

Yates credits much of her success to the support she received from MOVE! and her family. MOVE! kept her accountable with daily check-ins, and her family was there to offer encouragement through every challenge.

“I couldn’t have done it without them,” said Yates. “MOVE! and my family kept me focused. I wasn’t doing this alone.”

Living a new life

Today, Yates is stronger, more confident and healthier than she’s been in years.

She can walk without pain in her knees and back. She’s keeping up with her grandkids and is back to enjoying life again.

“I’m ready for the rest of my life,” Yates said. “I want to live it to the fullest, for me and my grandkids,” Yates said.

Yates’ advice to Veterans considering MOVE! is simple.

“Start as you aim to continue. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Just take the first step.”

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23 Comments

  1. Melody Smith June 3, 2025 at 17:59

    Congratulations! You are a true inspiration in perseverance and resilience! Hard work pays off!

  2. James Barry May 27, 2025 at 14:14

    Congratulations Tanya, just the story i needed to read and get started on the MOVE program.

  3. HERMINIO RUBIN JR May 27, 2025 at 09:38

    Congratulations. I am also involved in the MOVE program. I went from 360lbs to 210lbs. My goal is 200lbs.

  4. Jeremy May 26, 2025 at 23:19

    When you loose that kind of weight will the VA help with skin reduction because the excessive skin can cause other issues?

  5. Albert Ursich May 26, 2025 at 18:53

    Great story. Very inspiring… I am currently in a civilian nursing home recovering from a gaul bladder operation. Getting out in 22 days with a Emotional and Physical reset. Still dealing with a dislocated knee pain. I have been around MOVE locally for a few years. When we had motovaed and weekly group and I was doing all the right things, I lost 50 pounds. The facilitator asked to track my story for future publication. I was going to be a MOVE Star. Then I dislocated my knee and was too heavy for a replacement as I gained back to 400 pounds wher i am today. Then Covid hit and local group ended.
    I have appointments to get back in the MOVE game and even look at surgery that has been offered in the past.
    I have written this request a few times up the VA chain of command but nothing has happened with it. My local MOVE group was located in the Clinic at Port Jervis, NY and was run by the Social Worker. I was the last to join before Covid Shutdown.
    The group was an hour with everyone reporting a loss or gain to start. Then a 15 minute MOVE lesson. Then the remainder of time was sharing time. This is in my opinion what made this group successful. We encouraged and supported each other. The Facilitator made notes in our VA file of goals and progress.
    I would like to see a VIDEO MOVE group limited to 10 members that would meet online once a week. Same 10 people and include Spouses as part of the 10. The Sharing was what made it work. Like a PTSD support group.
    This would make me happy.

  6. Dennis Peterson May 26, 2025 at 17:50

    This program really helped me and I lost 65 pounds and holding strong. I was as high as 305 and the move program got me down to 245. The people you work with are so supportive and not pushy. they want you to succeed and they do all they can to help. I truly believe a single person has a better chance because you are not holding other family members hostage to your new eating habits. The MOVE {ROGRAM IS GREAT and I am thankful my VA Doc told me to get in and try it. I feel so much better

    Dennis Peterson
    US Marine 1966

  7. Mark John Garey May 26, 2025 at 17:40

    Jesus Flores don’t ever stop don’t ever look back you’re America’s finest don’t you ever think that there ain’t somebody out here that’s a veteran that appreciates what you have done for our nation keep up the good work I’m with you always and forever old soldiers never die just fade away God bless you

  8. Sally Wittbrod May 24, 2025 at 23:33

    At the start of Covid, my husband started MOVE! via internet. He expected me to participate in the sessions. I started logging my food. At the end of the class , I was down 1 pound and I wasn’t trying. For the next year I had an online support group and lost about 10 pounds. When it shut down, I did not have a back up plan. With life changes and no more food logging, I’ve gained 10-15 pounds.

    Get in the habit of logging what you eat when you eat.

  9. Charles Doyle Porter JR May 23, 2025 at 06:25

    loosing 100 lbs is the most important thing in my life!!

  10. Bernadette Shonka May 22, 2025 at 22:44

    Awesome! God bless!

  11. Earnest Daniels May 22, 2025 at 20:22

    As a fellow Veteran, I want to salute Tanya Yates for her incredible transformation and for sharing her journey—it’s truly inspiring. Her story resonates deeply with me because I also started my own health journey with the VA MOVE! program, and it dramatically changed my life.

    Like Tanya, I had multiple health challenges and needed a structured, supportive path forward. I live with severe spinal issues, sciatica, and radiculopathy, so I knew I had to find ways to manage my weight without aggravating my disabilities. MOVE! helped me rethink how I approached food and activity. Over the months I participated, my eating habits completely shifted—I learned to make healthier choices that felt sustainable.

    Even with my limitations, I was able to develop a light exercise routine that worked with my body rather than against it. Eventually, I incorporated Ozempic under medical supervision, which accelerated my progress. In just three months on Ozempic, I lost over 30 pounds—and that’s after already making consistent changes through MOVE!.

    The journey isn’t easy, and like Tanya, I’ve hit plateaus too. But the key is consistency, patience, and being willing to adapt along the way. You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to keep going.

    MOVE! gave me the foundation, and now I feel more in control of my health than ever before. To anyone considering it: you can do this. Start small, stay committed, and trust that your body will follow the lead of your intentions.

    Thanks again to Tanya for sharing her story—it reminded me of how far I’ve come, and I hope our journeys inspire others to take that first step.

    — Earnest M. Daniels
    Army Veteran | MOVE! Program Graduate | Ozempic User | Advocate for Veteran Wellness

  12. Louis F Johnson III May 22, 2025 at 20:00

    Outstanding!

  13. Mary Ann Redding Keels May 22, 2025 at 19:30

    fantastic, awesome!

  14. Patricia Walker May 22, 2025 at 17:54

    Veteran Yates, great job! Your journey has inspired me to MOVE forward in my quest to lose weight. Thank you for sharing!

  15. Cynthia A Koehler May 22, 2025 at 17:44

    I am in the process of losing weight too. I have lost 119 pounds so far in the past 9 months through interval walking at a slow pace and a balanced diet. Considering what is going on in my life, I feel this weight-loss is fantastic! I still have a ways to go. My goal is 135. I am currently at 226. I am feeling great and my doctors are cheering me on!

  16. Diane L. Thoroughman May 22, 2025 at 17:42

    I think what she did is amazing! I wish the VA covered surgery for veterans who lose pounds of weight to remove the excess skin. But they don’t unless there is a medical issue.
    I myself have lost 130 pounds. I still need to lose another 150 pounds.

  17. Ronnie Register May 22, 2025 at 11:41

    I just signed up for Move also,I have too I. so tired of this diets etc. Wish me luck.

  18. Mischellette May 22, 2025 at 08:22

    Congratulations!!! Job well done.

  19. John Randal Hamme May 22, 2025 at 01:35

    Must be a good program, as I put in for it about 8 months ago, and still have to wait until July for my first appointment. They are evidently pretty slammed.

  20. David Probert May 21, 2025 at 21:40

    Congrats!! I didn’t need MOVE! I just needed to move!! That got me away from being a lazy couch potato. I got here, moved to Puerto Rico, weighing 305 and now sit comfortably at 175 and wanna lose 25 more lbs, but only for a picture of the scale. 170-175 is perfect for me. But, if you need a crutch, MOVE is a far better choice than weight loss in a syringe!!

    • Janice Trouilliere May 22, 2025 at 18:30

      This was a very useful informative and such a needed resource/article to learn more about what can be done for weight loss management and this reward and end goal being healthy – and also the VA Move Program how it helps the Veterans regaining self esteem its help to get in shape. Congratulations to the Veteran Yates!! Very inspiring story.

  21. Rodney Babin May 21, 2025 at 07:26

    That’s awesome it’s not easy what you accomplished.

  22. Kathy May 20, 2025 at 17:51

    Congratulations! Great to see hard work pays off.

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