San Francisco VA Health Care System

Your success is increased by setting a specific goal that is measurable, action-oriented, realistic, and includes a time table. Don’t feel like you have to change everything at once. Focus on what you can do today or this week.

It’s a New Year and it’s the perfect time for a “new you”! Making lifestyle changes can be challenging, yet are important in achieving a more fabulous, healthier you. 

Here are some classes and programs that the San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS) offers. Your primary care provider can request a dietary consult, or a recreational therapy/strength and wellness consult to get you started. You can also find a list of our wellness classes and self-help groups here on our Wellness Program page.

A Perfect Time to “MOVE!^®”

“MOVE!^® is a national weight management program designed by the VA National Center for Prevention, to help Veterans lose weight, keep it off and improve their health,” says SFVAHACS Health Promotion and Disease Prevention program manager Sandra Smeeding, PhD, CNS, FNP. “The HPDP program goals are to offer programs, classes and groups to promote healthy lifestyles and optimize well-being while respecting Veterans’ individual needs and preferences, and foster personalized, proactive and patient-driven healthcare.”

MOVE!® Session With a VA Dietitian  – “You can discuss nutrition, weight control, diabetes and blood pressure with a registered dietitian, plus attend a weekly support group,” says VA Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator Gary Yee. “Your success is increased by setting “S.M.A.R.T.” goals: choose a specific goal that is measurable, action-oriented, realistic, and includes a time table. Focus on 1 or 2 behaviors at a time. Don’t feel like you have to change everything at once. Focus on what you can do today or this week.”

Other nutrition programs by the San Francisco VA Health Care System include Veterans cooking classes, Women Veterans MOVE!®, and Living Well with Diabetes. Nutrition classes are also available at each of our Community Based Outpatient Clinics. For more information, visit our Nutrition Clinic page or call a dietitian at (415) 221-4810, ext. 2-4262 or ext. 2-2895.

MOVE!® Strength and Wellness – This weight management-focused program provides 10-weeks of classes. Classes are held at the San Francisco VA Medical Center and at the Stonestown YMCA. Participants work with a dietitian, recreational therapist, and behavioral health coach to improve their ability to move toward a healthier weight and manage their overall health and wellness.

“All of our wellness programs offer opportunities for Veterans to address their health needs and can be viewed as tools to improve their health,” says VA Strength & Wellness Coordinator Chris Geronimo. For more information call Chris at (415) 221-4810, ext. 2-3471.

The Veterans Strength and Wellness Program provides these community-based exercise and wellness classes:

Functional Flexibility Class – This class for Veterans is held at the Richmond YMCA with a goal to improve concentration, range of motion, flexibility, and mental and physical health. For more information call VA Recreational Therapist Christian Dillon at (415) 221-4810, ext. 2-3471.

Circuit Training Class – This class for Veterans is held at the Richmond YMCA. Circuit Training is a form of body conditioning or resistance training using moderate to high-intensity aerobics. It targets strength building and muscular endurance. For more information call Chris Geronimo at (415) 221-4810, ext. 2-3471.

This New Year is your new year for healthy lifestyle changes. Cheers!