Veterans in Miami Embrace Healthy Lifestyles through MOVE!
A significant number of veterans in Miami, Florida, are transforming their health and well-being by participating in the MOVE! Weight Management Program. This initiative has sparked a commitment to lasting lifestyle changes, even after veterans complete their initial 16-week comprehensive intervention. Many continue their journey by engaging in the MOVE! Maintenance program, where they support each other in sustaining healthy habits.
Continued Support and Accountability
MOVE! Maintenance is designed to help veterans maintain the healthy behaviors they adopted during the initial phase of the program. Monthly meetings provide a platform for participants to reinforce their routines, hold one another accountable, and explore new activities. The program encourages veterans to update their action plans and reflect on their progress, which is especially beneficial in real-life scenarios such as traveling, family gatherings, or other challenging situations.
Success Stories from MOVE!
Michael Cicero’s health journey took a positive turn after he was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and prediabetes in April 2025. Encouraged by his healthcare team, he joined MOVE! and subsequently transitioned to the monthly Maintenance group post his initial 16-week program. Alongside weight management medication, Cicero has lost nearly 80 pounds, resulting in improved kidney function and blood sugar levels, significantly lowering his diabetes risk.
Ariel Rivera faced weight gain as his career progressed, leading to less time for physical activity. To enhance his liver function and overall health, he was introduced to MOVE! and participated in virtual sessions for 16 weeks. Since then, he has shed over 85 pounds and increased his physical activity, finding success in the Maintenance program that supports his commitment to a healthier lifestyle.
Larry Williams’s experience with MOVE! has been intermittent since 2007. After achieving a 50-pound weight loss by 2012, he found himself fluctuating between gains and losses. Returning to MOVE! in 2023, he combined the program’s strategies with weight management medication, leading to significant progress. He is currently at his lowest weight in almost five decades and is optimistic about reaching his health goals through the supportive environment of the virtual Maintenance group.
Expert Guidance and Community Support
The MOVE! Maintenance program in Miami benefits from the expertise of professionals like Dr. Jason Dahn and Michele Alonso, a health behavior coordinator and clinical dietitian, respectively. They emphasize the importance of camaraderie among veterans, noting that participants find value in building relationships and supporting each other. Despite individual challenges, the shared commitment fosters a sense of unity.
Dahn and Alonso noted, “For so many patients, affirming their progress and helping them to calibrate having realistic expectations seems to be most beneficial.”
MOVE! Maintenance exemplifies the collaborative effort between veterans and MOVE! teams, enabling participants to reach their personal health goals while promoting a supportive community.
Through MOVE!, veterans across the nation, including those in Miami, have achieved remarkable transformations, illustrating that sustained progress is both a personal journey and a collective effort. As they continue their paths toward better health, the MOVE! team remains dedicated to providing the necessary support.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
