FORT RUCKER, Ala. - Seven years into his military career, Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Herzog felt his health was impacting his ability to be an effective noncommissioned officer.
That has changed in five years. Herzog, an instructor with the NCO Academy, became a certified personal trainer in October and offers his services to Soldiers for free.
Herzog's journey to better health began while stationed in Hawaii.
"In 2004, I was 240 pounds, 26 percent body fat and unhappy," he said. "I felt I couldn't be a competent leader."
Herzog decided to change his lifestyle in order to lead more effectively. He conducted plenty of research to learn from the mistakes he made during workouts and eating.
"I learned how to train my metabolism. I learned different foods have different ingredients, that affect your body differently," he said.
With the new knowledge gained, he discovered a knack for sharing that information, something Herzog attributes to his job of teaching young Soldiers. While deployed in Iraq with the 2nd Stryker Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, he discussed meal plans with dining facility staff. His plans reached division commanders and were recommended for proper eating.
Eight Soldiers utilized some of his other workout and diet tutelage and lost a combined 250 pounds during the 15-month deployment. He specifically created plans that did not use diet and workout supplements because many people use them incorrectly, Herzog noted.
The success overseas provided Herzog a new goal - to become a certified personal trainer. About a year ago, he began taking classes online through the International Sports Science Association, an Army-endorsed organization.
The courses covered basic anatomy and physiology, nutrition, and muscle movement and development among other things. Herzog also learned what type of workouts different age groups and body types respond to better.
Now, Herzog provides his services to military members for free "because I look at it as my job as an NCO to teach Soldiers," he said. Herzog hopes to tutor civilians in the near future.
The NCO instructor said he provides a variety of workout instruction, including plans for fitness, weight loss and muscular buildup. Herzog's plans also help Soldiers perform better on physical training tests.
Soldiers who have trained with Herzog said his instructions are effective.
Sgt. 1st Class Alan West worked with Herzog in Iraq in hopes of improving diet and losing fat. West said Herzog's diet recommendations, which included removing fried foods, contributed to roughly 20 pounds of weight loss in about a year.
West, now stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky., continues to use Herzog's plans. "I look better than I ever have," he said.
When Herzog takes on new clients, he asks them to fill out questionnaires to determine what clients' goals are and provide brief health and genetics histories.
Something as simple as blood type can affect diet plans, he said.
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