Busy Marine Veteran uses TeleMOVE! to maintain a healthy lifestyle

It's no secret that maintaining a healthy lifestyle has many benefits. Being physically active can help reduce risk of disease, improve brain health and lower blood pressure. However, it can be difficult to prioritize your health when life gets busy. Marine Veteran Theo Deuel can attest to that.

Deuel had always enjoyed an active lifestyle. He was a member of the wrestling team in high school and then joined the Marines where he followed a strict fitness routine. While in the Marines, he trained and completed Ironman triathlons and became a martial arts instructor.

After leaving the Marines, he gained 55 pounds. Juggling a full-time job and being a full-time student, Deuel felt like he no longer had time for a healthy, active lifestyle.

The MOVE! program fit in with his busy schedule. "I realized I needed to make a change if I wanted to start a family, so I figured why not."

MOVE! program

VA's MOVE! program focuses on nutrition, physical activity and behavior change. The program offers both individual and group sessions, which can be held either in person or via telehealth. There is also a self-guided version of the MOVE! program offered through the MOVE! Coach app which is available on the VA App Store.

Deuel chose to enroll in TeleMOVE!, the remote patient monitoring home telehealth version of the program as it allowed him to complete the program at his own pace. For TeleMOVE!, Veterans are matched with a remote VA care coordinator and provided with at-home health monitoring technologies such as blood pressure monitors, pedometers and scales.

Throughout the program, Deuel tracks his weight and reports it to his care coordinator. He also completes self-guided modules to learn about eating healthy and staying active.

"Leaving the Marines, I didn't feel like I needed to stay in peak shape. This program helps to keep me accountable," he shared.

Deuel is currently halfway through the TeleMOVE! program and he's glad he enrolled. By incorporating healthier eating habits and increasing his daily exercise, he has started to see improvements in his overall health and well-being.

How to get started with MOVE!

Taking the first step toward a healthier lifestyle may seem daunting, but the MOVE! care team is available to help.

If you're interested in participating in MOVE!-either in person or through telehealth-contact your local VA facility to inquire about the program. Or you can let your VA primary care team know that you're interested.

If you have questions on how to enroll or want to learn more about the MOVE! program, visit the MOVE! Weight Management Program page.

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