Get up and go with VA MOVE!

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class James L. Miller
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  With the start of 2016, the Health Promotion Office and the Bellamy Fitness Center are offering various opportunities to create healthy habits for the rest of the year.
One of these is the "Veterans Affairs MOVE!" program, a Department of Defense approved program utilized by several bases around the Air Force.

"The VA MOVE! is an evidence-based program, meaning there has been proof it works," said Geri Seal, 28th Medical Operations Squadron health promotion program manager. "The main message of the VA MOVE! is eat wisely, move more and weigh less."

Since its start in January of 2015, participants who attended only two to three classes lost an average of four pounds, and participants who went to four or more classes lost an average of seven pounds, according to Seal.

Classes are every other Tuesday, with the next class scheduled for Jan. 19, 2016. Taught by Seal, Cliff McArthur, 28th MDOS registered dietician, and Jessica Morecraft, 28th MDOS behavioral health coach, the lesson will be deciphering food labels and looking past advertising ploys to make the healthy choice.

In addition to classes, there are fitness programs available to all active-duty service members, spouses and DOD employees, and are part of Better Body Better Life, an approved Air Force weight management program.

"The classes are for beginners all the way up to the most advanced athletes," Seal said. "They may be challenging, but challenges help us grow. You just start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can do."

For more information on VA MOVE!, call Geri Seal at (605) 385-6250 or visit the calendar.