In February 2019, Air Force Veteran Steve Homison turned 65 years old and stepped on the scale. After that, he decided to call the Butler VA Health Care System and get started working out at the Wellness Center.

Air Force Veteran Steve Homison stays healthy with exercise, including push-ups.

Today, you can find Steve at the Wellness Center five days a week. He’s down about 40 pounds. Education and support from the personal trainers have helped him learn how to get the most out of his workouts.

“I like to work out on my own, but with their advice,” said Steve. “The personal trainers are very knowledgeable. I will ask them, ‘Here’s what I want to work on, what do I do?’ You can ask them any question, and they will work with you.”

Homison is pictured above with personal trainer Evonne Patterson.

Prior to coming to the Wellness Center, Steve didn’t know how to work out. The personal trainers explained how to do the weights, how to stretch, etc. Personal trainers possess the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to design safe and effective fitness programs. They instruct and assist people in reaching their personal health and fitness goals.

Weight is down, numbers are good

Steve has noticed a big difference thanks to his efforts at the Wellness Center, and not just with the weight loss. His cholesterol number has gone down by 50%, blood sugar number has gone down 10 and his blood pressure is under control.

“I was up and down redoing my lights on my house, and it didn’t even phase me. I’m more limber, more agile and I move better.”

With the start of the new year (and a new decade), many people set goals similar to Steve’s: lose weight and gain strength. Steve’s advice for making this happen: “Take that first step. Get into your mind that you must take that first step every day. That’s the hardest thing to do. The first step to working out is moving towards your equipment.”

Amanda Kurtz is a public affairs specialist at the Butler VA Medical Center. Photographs by Karen Dunn.

Topics in this story

Air Force VeteranBlood pressureWeight Loss

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9 Comments

  1. John M. Stroth March 20, 2020 at 14:03

    Recently I read that President Trump signed a Veteran’s Dental Care Bill into law.
    I qualify under the guidelines so I called my local VA facility to sign up.
    They told me they were aware that such a program had been passed, but they said they didn’t have any details nor could I sign up.
    How can I sign up?
    Many Thanks

    • Linwood C. Prince March 22, 2020 at 20:15

      Id also like to find out.

  2. Raymond Preston March 19, 2020 at 21:32

    In July of 2015 I was admitted to Bay Pines VA with shortness of breath. I was 258lbs. The next morning I coded with a 100 % blockage. Luck for me the Doctor was standing next to my bed talking to me about my
    ekg..I have been working out a lot and now am at 235. I am still working to loose more weight. I was on 4 blood pressure pills a day before the heart attack. I am now on 1 low dosage bp now. I feel much better. Thank god for the staff at the VA hospital.

  3. dennis verge March 19, 2020 at 15:43

    where can I find a place like that in my area. I live in Somersworth new hampshire

  4. Joyce Pullin March 19, 2020 at 13:47

    The Move programs has lead to my loos of 26 lbs!!!

  5. Richard SHAVINSKI CSA March 19, 2020 at 05:22

    Will the Vet program pay for. a trainer at the gym? Keep up the good work

  6. Harris Thayer March 19, 2020 at 02:11

    I am 77 and just competed in the 2020 Arizona Senior Olympics cycling events Feb. 223 & 23. I used to weigh 235 and I am now under 160. I ride somewhere between 30 and 100 miles a week along with hiking and working 22 hours a week on my feet selling and repairing bicycles. You want to get in good shape, then purchase a good bicycle from a bicycle shop and learn how to properly ride it. It does not matter what style of bicycle you get as long as it fits you and it is comfortable to you. It is a great investment in our health both mental and physical.

  7. Bill Lamb March 14, 2020 at 13:12

    Steve, You rock! I started 10 years ago when I couldn’t ski down the mountain. I started rollerblading and lost weight. Found it helpful but not enough. So, bicycling, swimming, and running were added to my regimen. Triathlons up to half iron man and bicycling PCT, Germany and Spain. Catching hops and renting bikes makes Europe cheap. Senior Softball 3 days per week (Marion County Senior Softball on Facebook and YouTube). I retired from Air Force in 1994. Just a couple years older than you. Bill

  8. Daniel L Kibbee March 13, 2020 at 11:27

    Good job Steve. I’m reminded of my Veteran brother John Morgan and White City Or VA Domiciliary. We had weight and powerlifting team. It set a healthy mindset for me. Thanks Rick Martin and staff. In his 70s John held numerous titles in several states. Stay healthy, keep the VA in business.

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