Photo By Capt. Denise Douglas | Staff Sgt. James Milhon takes a rest atop Pinnacle Mountain in Little Rock, Ark.,...... read more read more
CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, Ark. – April’s semi-annual weigh-in was the last straw for Staff Sgt. James Milhon, National Guard Marksmanship Training Center, North Little Rock, Ark. Milhon has served in the National Guard since June 1986. In the entire time, he’s never failed a tape test. He didn’t fail his tape test this time either, but he realized something had to be done. “I was very close to my max tape,” said Milhon.
It started with a weight loss plan that his brother-in-law told him about, but at the time, Milhon and his wife, Pamela, didn’t put much stock in it. After the near miss in April, they started the program together. Now, it has become a way of life for both of them.
“Within two weeks we both saw progress and that sealed the deal,” he says.
Since April 3, Milhon has lost 50 pounds. His wife has lost 30 pounds. Additionally, he says his uncontrolled blood pressure is much better these days and he no longer has to take blood pressure medications.
It’s not been easy, though, and it has taken a lot of personal discipline. “In this day and age, it’s tough to not ‘fast food’ it.” The plan that they follow is called the ketogenic diet and was originally developed to control epileptic seizures in children. It consists of low carbohydrates and sugars, lots of water, and activity. He also watches his calorie intake.
In addition to the changes in their diet, the Milhons have added physical training into their regimen. They both started slowly; walking for her, and the 2-mile run for Milhon. “My first run for time was two miles in about 25 minutes,” he says. “And two miles was the most I could run.” Since then, his 2-mile run time is now around 17 minutes and he runs six miles in under an hour.
Milhon has been a great example to other Soldiers as well.
“I’m in total awe with Staff Sgt. Milhon’s weight loss and improvement on his two mile run,” says Command Sgt. Maj. Greg Doster. “I admire his efforts, diligence and discipline he exerted to reach this accomplishment.”
Milhon’s full time job at the Combined Support Maintenance Shop on Camp Robinson, North Little Rock, Ark., as an Optical Instruments repairer has reaped rewards also. While he says that not all jobs are as physical as some, he acknowledges that the nature of serving in the military means that sometimes we have to physically support our teammates and our units. “We are all going to help each other carry the weight, but it’s nice to know you can carry your own and a touch more, if necessary.”
“No doubt he recognized an opportunity to raise the bar and be a better Soldier,” says Doster.
Doster goes on to say that it is a great to hear that Milhon and his wife accomplished this together. “I’m sure each of them would give the other credit for staying the course.”
His results speak for themselves, but ultimately this journey has strengthened Milhon and his family.
“I’m probably in the best health I’ve been in, in years,” says Milhon. “My wife and I just feel better about ourselves, which in turn improves everything.”
| Date Taken: | 09.12.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.12.2014 15:28 |
| Story ID: | 141981 |
| Location: | NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, US |
| Hometown: | LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 393 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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