{"id":7965,"date":"2025-01-05T21:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-05T21:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7965"},"modified":"2025-01-05T21:30:00","modified_gmt":"2025-01-05T21:30:00","slug":"veteran-loses-150-pounds-with-move-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7965","title":{"rendered":"Veteran loses 150 pounds with MOVE! program"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally published:<\/strong> 2025-01-05T21:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.<\/p>\n

Pamela Merritt, 65, coped with obesity for years, facing numerous health challenges because of her weight. With a six-year old granddaughter and a daughter eagerly anticipating her mother walking her down the aisle, Merritt made a life-changing decision to join VA\u2019s MOVE! program at Durham VA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The program transformed her dietary habits and incorporated physical activity into her daily activities, fostering a healthier lifestyle.<\/p>\n

\u201cI recognized the need for change, for my well-being and overall health. The MOVE! program provided the essential support and resources to kickstart my journey toward a healthier life,\u201d she shared.<\/p>\n

MOVE! assists Veterans to achieve clinically meaningful weight loss to improve their health and reduce their risk for chronic health conditions. It features a comprehensive lifestyle intervention that provides Veterans support to make changes to their eating patterns, increase physical activity and use strategies to make these life changes.<\/p>\n

Merritt\u2019s path to success was not without obstacles. She faced setbacks and moments of doubt along the way. But fueled by determination and the encouragement of fellow Veterans, VA staff and her devoted daughter, she persevered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI learned to read food labels and discovered exercises.\u201d<\/h2>\n

\u201cI was skeptical about my ability to lose weight, given my long-standing struggle. Yet, under the guidance of physiologist David Warfield and other VA officials, I learned to read food labels and discovered exercises personalized to my physical limitations,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The unwavering support from her daughter and the VA community propelled her forward. Her daughter\u2019s words served as a powerful motivator: \u201cMom, you got right back up after falling. You wouldn\u2019t have been able to do that two years ago. I am so proud of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Merritt is pictured above with her daughter, Shamika White.<\/p>\n

After months of hard work, Merritt achieved a remarkable milestone, losing 150 pounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like a new person. I\u2019ve transitioned from a size 26-plus to a size 17,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

If you would like to learn more about how MOVE! has helped Veterans improve their health and their lives, visit MOVE! and Get Started \u2013 MOVE! Weight Management Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs<\/a>. Its Veterans is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Veteran Pamela Merritt made a life-changing decision to join VA\u2019s MOVE! program at Durham VA.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7965","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-u-s-veterans-news"],"yoast_head":"\nVeteran loses 150 pounds with MOVE! program - Its Veterans<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Veteran Pamela Merritt made a life-changing decision to join VA\u2019s MOVE! program at Durham VA.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7965\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Veteran loses 150 pounds with MOVE! 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