Introduction
MOVE!® Coach is an app for Veterans, service members, their families, and others who want to manage their weight. This mobile tool provides users with weight management education and resources in an easy and convenient way. Users can monitor their progress with their health and weight goals.
Features
- Self-Management Modules – Build weight management skills as you complete activities to learn about healthy eating and staying active. It is suggested that users complete one module per week over a 16-week period.
- Trackers – Keep a daily weight diary and track your progress on healthy eating, physical activity and weight management goals.
- Tools – Use Calculation Tools to determine your exercise intensity, calories burned, and activity-to-step conversions. Use Manage Stress Tools to keep stress levels in check.
- Support – Share your progress on social media, challenge your friends to build healthier habits, and read stories from other MOVE! Coach users.
- Resources – Access additional information on weight management, nutrition and other health topics.
Downloadable Materials
Training Materials
FAQs
Why should I use the MOVE! Coach App?
The MOVE! Coach App is a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) weight management tool for Veterans that may be used independently or with check-ins from a VA facility MOVE! team. With the convenient and easy-to-use MOVE! Coach App, you can track your progress with making healthy changes.
Does the MOVE! Coach App treat obesity?
The MOVE! Coach App is a self-management tool that supports individuals working on weight management with education and tracking. Use of the MOVE! Coach App alone is not a clinical intervention or treatment.
The MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans is VA’s evidence-based weight management program that assists Veterans to achieve clinically meaningful (~5%) weight loss to improve their health and reduce their risk for chronic health conditions. MOVE! is available at every VA medical center.
Weight Management Medications and Metabolic Bariatric Surgery are treatment options that may be helpful for some Veterans. To learn more about these options, please contact your healthcare provider or VA medical facility MOVE! team.
Do I need to be a Veteran to use the MOVE!® Coach App?
No. MOVE! Coach is available for anyone! Although the content was created with Veterans in mind and considers common Veteran issues, anyone can benefit from the app’s educational resources and tracking features.
While MOVE! Coach can be used by anyone, only Veteran users are able to have check-ins with their VA facility MOVE! team.
Will the information I enter be shared?
No. The information you add into the app is stored on your device and will not be shared.
What are the self-management modules, and how do I use them?
The self-management modules provide you with focus areas for each of the 16 weeks. It is recommended that users complete one module per week.
Each module has an overview, educational content, videos and activities and an opportunity to set goals.
You will always be able to go back to the self-management modules you have completed. While it is recommended that you work on one module per week, you can manually unlock future modules to review content in advance.
Once you have completed a module, you can generate a PDF report of the answers and information you provided as you went through the module.
How do I enter information about my weight?
Routine weighing is recommended to track your progress. Tap the + icon available on most screens within the app, then tap Weight from the pop-up menu. Type your weight in pounds from the pop-up numeric keypad that appears. Tap Done to save your entry.
How do I access problem-solving resources, and what will I find?
Avoid setbacks, stay motivated and keep making progress by using resources that can help you overcome obstacles in Self-Management Module 8. You can also seek encouragement and support from a list of contacts you can create, trusted websites, call centers or your social media networks under Support and Resources.
How do I monitor my progress?
From the Tracker screen, you can review a diary of weight entries you have created. You also have the option to graph all entries by tapping the graph icon in the bottom left corner of your diary. Additionally, on the Tracker, you can follow all of the goals you set for physical activity, healthy eating, and weight management, which allows you to monitor your progress along the way.
How can I set goals within the app?
Understanding your motivation, putting your goals in writing, setting check-in dates for reaching your goals and challenging your friends can help you stay on track and set achievable steps.
From the Tracker screen under the Goal Tracking section, tap whether you would like to set weight, physical activity or healthy eating goals. You will be asked to type your goals and set a check-in date for your progress.
You can also build accountability for meeting your goals by sharing them with your friends via social media.
How do I graph my progress?
Tap Weight Graphs in the Tracker screen to see a line graph of how your weight has changed.
At the bottom of the graph, you can change the date range of the data graphed by tapping the range that appears at the bottom left corner of the screen. You can choose from 1 Day, 1 Week, 1 Month, 3 Months, 6 Months, 1 Year or 2 Years, depending on the amount of data that you have entered. You also have the option of sharing a PDF of your graphs.
How can I view summaries about my activities?
From the Tracker screen, tap whether you would like to view Module Summaries for your completed self-management modules. You can view these summaries as PDFs and share them.
How can I view reports about my entries?
From the Tracker screen, tap the Weight Report. Tap the duration you would like to view, and a PDF with the details and a chart or graph of your report will be created.
How do I share my results?
You can celebrate your progress on social media wherever you see the Twitter or Facebook icons. Tap one of the icons, type your message in the pop-up box that appears, and tap Post to share your information.
The MOVE! Coach App also allows you to share PDFs of your Self-Management Module Summaries and Reports. On the PDF you would like to share, tap the box icon with an arrow to see additional ways of sharing besides social media. Based on the features and applications installed on your device that can send PDFs, tap the method you would like to use. Send as you normally share information with these methods.
Where can I find additional information about other available VA apps?
Additional information about other available VA Apps can be found on mobile.va.gov/appstore as well as mobile.va.gov in the VA Mobile Apps General FAQs.
What do I do if I need additional information or help?
The MOVE! Coach App also has guides for its features built into the app, indicated by the? icon that appears throughout the app. Tap on the ? icon to see resources and explanations.
If you need assistance with the MOVE! Coach App, dial 877-470-5947 to speak with a VA representative.
Help
For help with this app, contact the Health Resource Center at:
Call: 877-470-5947
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8AM - 8PM EST