You have it in you.

During your time in the service, you gained the tools you need to live an active, healthy lifestyle. You learned how to stay physically fit, eat nutritious food to fuel your body, and get good sleep. The demands of life after leaving active duty may have gotten in the way of these healthy habits.

Dr. Chelsea Cosby

But now is the best time to rediscover your best health.

We focus on what matters to you.

VA is here to help. We offer a Whole Health approach by focusing on what matters to you—not what is the matter with you. The first step is to meet with your VA health care provider. They can help you make a customized health plan with realistic and achievable goals.

Then, start to rediscover your best health by taking small steps. Take a daily 20-minute walk or go to bed 30 minutes earlier. Or you can focus on getting more nutrients in your diet such as adding a serving of green leafy vegetables a few times a week.

Explore VA resources than can help you rediscover your best health.

  • Make a personal plan for your health journey. Start with information on the VA Whole Health
  • Get personal help through VA’s telephone coaching with a lifestyle coach.
  • Explore self-care ideas through VA Whole Health.
  • Learn more about healthy eating. Eligible Veterans can ask their VA provider or health care team for a referral to a nutritionist, or send a secure message with a request to their provider through the MyHealtheVet
  • Don’t let the cold keep you from exercising! If you don’t have access to a gym, here are some tips for exercising during cold winter months. Even just 7,500 steps a day can help reduce the risk of getting heart disease by 19% and diabetes by 30%.
  • Try out VA’s MOVE! Weight Management Program.
  • Learn more about getting good sleep, especially if you are having trouble sleeping or are not feeling rested when you wake up.
  • Download VA’s free Mindfulness Coach app or try some breathing methods to help manage stress.
  • Talk with your VA health care provider to make sure you have the necessary screenings and Immunizations and learn about comprehensive and gender-specific health care services for women Veterans.
  • Look through the many resources offered by VA Whole Health to see what sparks your interest.

These are just a few resources for lifelong health. Talk with your VA primary care provider to learn more or call or text the Women Veterans Call Center at 855-VA-WOMEN (855-829-6636) to learn how VA can help.

You have it in you to rediscover your best health in 2022!

Disclaimer: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products or services on the part of VA.

Topics in this story

exerciseHealthy eatingMental Healthself careSleepWhole HealthWoman Veteran

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8 Comments

  1. Joseph S Teipen January 27, 2022 at 12:41

    I have always been interested in my health. Good diet, exercise and trying to maintain a healthy weight. Over the years my weight has yoyo’d up and down. Finally up to 224. I had to get this down to something reasonable. I had a goal of 190. Started cutting back on sweets. A friend got me hooked up with a hemp product that has helped me a lot. Six months later I am at 188. Hoping to get at least down to 180 and 170 is not out of the question.

  2. Garrett Pettingell January 26, 2022 at 19:58

    I started walking everyday four years ago. I weighed 257. I began wearing a weighted vest to add challenge and now carry 35 lbs. comfortably on more than half my walks. Over those four years I have lost over 60 lbs. through the walking, some intermittent fasting (two meals per day) and most importantly trying to minimize sugar and added sugar and seed oils. No dieting, per se. You can do it. It does not happen overnight. You can be over 60 and not wake up with pain. Really. The VA won’t tell you this, but I will: put down the fork, start walking and invest in yourself, soldier!

  3. Private Pyle January 26, 2022 at 19:43

    I use Dept of VA gym located at the Phoenix hospital campus free of charge.

    Thank you VA !

  4. david eyer January 26, 2022 at 19:40

    I’m 64. I started lifting weights and removing sugar from my diet in June 2021. 8 months later, my A1C went from a diabetic 6.8 to a completely normal 5.6 and my weight went from 233 to 182! I just had to get SERIOUS about diet and exercise; you can do it!

    • Andrew T Cains January 27, 2022 at 12:37

      that’s inspiring, I want to get my A1C checked and work from there

  5. Ricardo Lugo Ramos January 6, 2022 at 19:43

    The healthy habits vision is a common sense thinking process; that sometimes we loose during life time. But with professional help could open the door again to the pursuit of health and happiness in life. A good healthy condition is the base; to work toward a successful and fulfillment life. So God Help us / In God We Trust / Pursuit of Happiness / God Bless America / Home of the brave / One Nation Under God.
    All these good works (professional talents) are coming from higher places; to build a strong and healthy nation.

  6. Concerned Veteran Arnold Cabral January 6, 2022 at 17:55

    No Veteran Medical Centers Dentistry or have a contract with a Veteran Affairs Administration has a Dentist that knows how to put in G4implants.

  7. Omar Monroe January 6, 2022 at 17:45

    I have taken steps to live my best life, I have rejoined planet fitness, and acquired a personal trainer to assist me, in my journey, that and setting up a meal plan

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