Staff Sgt. Anthony Bollin, 1st Engineer Brigade Systems Training Integration and Devices instructor, first walked through the doors of the Fort Leonard Wood Army Wellness Center in January 2019. He had been trying on his own to get his diet and training under control but decided it was time to reach out for additional support.
"A workout regimen was most important to me," Bollin said. "Everyone is built differently, but the AWC health educators can help you reach your individual goals."
Bollin sat down with Mark Jones, one of the AWC's health educators, to figure out general nutrition recommendations and a personal fitness program. Together, they were able to get a good picture of Bollin's current health and fitness status.
Over the first few months, Bollin was not seeing the results he had hoped for, though he said he was committed to putting in the effort.
"During each appointment, I brought questions prompted through research I had conducted on my own," he said.
Bollin said he was determined to be the healthiest version of himself.
"(He) is what I would call the ideal client," Jones said. "Every time he arrived for an appointment he was receptive and ready to learn."
Bollin received additional guidance from the registered dietitians at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital's Nutrition Care Division. They helped him change his eating habits and adjusted his caloric goals to match his exercise expenditure.
Despite his efforts, however, he was placed on the Army Body Composition Program in July.
Jones and Bollin continued to discuss how altering his current fitness program would assist him in reaching his overall goals: being removed from the ABCP, reaching a weight of 205 pounds and being retained by the Army. They decided together to alter his cardio training.
"I was coached on high-intensity training and educated on muscle groups and how to coordinate my workout efforts," Bollin said.
Throughout the process, Bollin continued to partake in follow-up assessments to track changes in his body composition and hold himself accountable.
"I (was) able to get personal treatment and learn what makes my body tick," Bollin said.
Since January, Bollin has lost 8.6 percent body fat, 27.6 pounds and 4.75 inches off his waist circumference. He's also recently been released from the ABCP and can continue his Army career.
Bollin still has one final goal to achieve -- reaching 205 pounds. He said he'll remain on his training schedule and follow the guidance he received from the AWC and NCD staff.
"The AWC team takes your strengths and weaknesses and turns it into a realistic plan designed just for you," Bollin said.
"The ultimate goal of the AWC is to provide clear guidance as to the best and safest routes to obtaining ones' goals," Jones said. "With Bollin, this was a seamless process that I believe will carry on for quite some time in his life. Nothing was dictated to him. Every move we made we did as a team, and we discussed the different approaches and began to chisel away towards the goal."
"We assist individuals with meeting their health and fitness goals through individualized education and positive behavior changes," added Anna Schwartz, AWC supervisory health educator. "Regardless of a person's current fitness level or fitness background, we meet each person where they currently are. This is truly our passion and what we love to do."
Anyone interested in getting assistance to live a healthier life can call the AWC at 573.596.9677.
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