Photo By Marcy Sanchez | Daryl Stevens, chief, Fort Bliss Army Wellness Center, William Beaumont Army Medical...... read more read more
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From Japan to Germany, Army Wellness Centers are making a difference for Soldiers, family members, retirees and Department of the Army Civilians seeking to improve and sustain overall healthy lifestyles.
Through the AWC’s six core programs, the AWC’s services have already made an impact for some service members.
“It’s a very good program,” said Master Sgt. Charles Ball, warehouse noncommissioned officer in charge, 2218th Mobilization Support Battalion, Mobilization and Deployment Brigade. “There are a lot of things people can learn from and take away from it.”
The AWC’s mission is to improve unit readiness and support physical fitness standards through holistic lifestyle changes.
What does that mean for beneficiaries? It means the AWC’s methodology isn’t meant for quick weight loss or miracle turnaround in health. The AWC takes a look at individuals’ health as a whole, not just weight or diet but evidence-based techniques to address the individual’s problems from stress and sleep to strength training and recovery.
“It was a common sense approach to improving your overall health,” said Ball, a 47-year-old native of West Plains, Missouri. “I really didn’t think it would work.”
Ball’s goal was to lose weight while improving overall fitness when he first started the program. Three months into the program he’s lost 10 lbs. while decreasing BMI by 4.3 percent.
For Ball, a reserve-component Soldier, the weight loss was necessary after nearly failing Army Body Fat Standards. For others, the AWC offers new methods of combating unhealthy habits.
“Health Coaching is probably our biggest benefit,” said Daryl Stevens, director, Fort Bliss AWC. “You sit down with one of the health educators and talk about general wellness, improving your health, decreasing your BMI, meal planning, better sleep habits, activity, etc.”
According to Stevens, a native of Philadelphia, the AWC’s services are standardized through the Army’s 28 locations so continuity of care may continue if a beneficiary must re-locate.
While there is a large emphasis on weight loss and decreasing BMI, other services include tobacco cessation, sleep, and nutrition classes to encompass all health components of an individual. Just as well, mental health is also analyzed through biofeedback to measure stress levels and discuss techniques to relieve stress.
“I knew it was going to be a journey and I knew it was going to be tough; that’s why I came (to AWC),” said Air Force Tech Sgt. Vanassa Manila, an instructor at Desert Defender Ground Combat Skills Training Center, U.S. Air Force Security Forces, Fort Bliss. “Even for people who aren’t looking for weight loss I would recommend coming to the AWC for the metabolic rate, for heart rate testing and (body composition assessment) for serious athletes.”
Like Ball, Manila’s goal was to lose weight she had gained from her last pregnancy in December 2015. Over the past five months, Manila lost 25 lbs. and decreased her BMI by five percent.
“I feel the difference in my PT, I feel the difference in clothes and self-confidence,” said Manila, a native of Indian River, Michigan. “I know I still need some improvements so I’m still on the journey.”
“We’re striving for a change of lifestyle,” said Stevens. “It’s different for everybody, and we treat everybody on a case by case basis.
Assessments at the AWC are available through referrals by healthcare providers, units, or self-referrals.
“When we do health education we ask ‘What’s your why?’” said Stevens, referring to why beneficiaries may seek a change in lifestyle. “It may be because of your kids, because of high blood pressure, background and genetic complications. If (beneficiaries) take the program serious and take the health education and apply it to their lives, they’re going to see the results.”
The transformation is evident for Ball, whose stepson, who is trying to lose some weight for his upcoming wedding, said, “I’m jealous,” when he saw Ball during a trip back home.
According to Stevens, these visual transformations make for positive reinforcements, encouraging beneficiaries to continue on the program while having evidence to build on and work with.
“This is the proper way the correct way to lose weight,” said Manila. “If you’re serious you’ll succeed. If you’re looking for that fast quick diet pill, you’re not going to make it.”
“The AWC teaches the whole performance triad from improving sleep to improving wellness through good habits,” said Stevens. “Make an investment in yourself, your health and your family.”
For more information, or to schedule an appointment for assessment call 915-742-9566.
| Date Taken: | 08.22.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.22.2016 14:06 |
| Story ID: | 207868 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Hometown: | INDIAN RIVER, MI, US |
| Hometown: | PHILADELPHIA, PA, US |
| Hometown: | WEST PLAINS, MO, US |
| Web Views: | 447 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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