Dear Friends,

I am writing this letter because I know I have a calling on my life, and in order for me to fulfill that calling I need to lose weight. I turn 30 years old in a couple of months, and just getting dressed in the morning is wearing me out right now. I have struggled with my weight for most of my life, and it is time to do something about it.

My life

Both of my parents died before they were 50 years old due to health issues caused by excessive weight. My dad had a heart attack and my mother could not get the liver transplant that she needed because she was overweight. I do not believe that obesity is hereditary, but I do believe that parents pass down eating and exercise habits to their children. I currently weigh 432 pounds. The older I get, the more I realize that I am following in my parent’s footsteps. Over the years, I have tried many diets and hit the gym a few times, but I have only been somewhat successful before my routine falls apart. When I went to donate blood today, they told me that I was too big to get on the chair in the mobile unit. Whenever I have dinner at a restaurant, I have to ask for a table because I cannot fit into a booth. This is my life right now.

My plan

An opportunity is in front of me that could change my life forever. Just like the TV show, The Biggest Loser, my goal is to completely focus on weight loss without any distractions for an entire year. My weight loss goal is 200 pounds, and I will be working with three personal trainers and a nutritionist to help me reach that goal. The nutritionist will set up daily caloric intake and meal plans. The trainers will set up a workout plan that will have me in the gym for five to seven hours a day. Essentially, I am putting my life on hold for one year in order to save the rest of my life.

My need

In order for me to do this, I am asking for your support in several ways. I am asking for a financial commitment, but I am also asking for your prayers and support throughout the next year. I will need people to pray for me that I can be strong when workouts get tough or I feel like giving up. I will need people to work out with me and push me to the next level in many areas. Because this will become my full-time job, I also need $2000 a month to live on. This covers my basic living expenses and the food, vitamins, and supplements that are part of the program. I am looking for 100 people who will commit just $20 dollars a month, or who can donate any amount possible. You can donate online below, or mail a check directly to the address below. I will also use this website to post pictures and blog about my journey. I want the pictures and stories to motivate me and keep the people who are invested in my life updated on my progress. Thank you for any investment you can make into my life. I promise that it will not be wasted, and I will use it in the future through a long healthy life of helping people. I strongly feel like I could be more of a blessing for a longer time if there were less of me.

Gene Milstead

· 8317 Emerald Hills Way #306 · NRH, TX 76180 · 817-705-2727 ·

PayPal Donation

5/2/10

First week with the Bodybugg.

Wednesday
I met with John (Trainer) and Aunt Susan at the Keller 24 hour fitness. She purchased me the new Bodybugg and the wrist watch that goes with it. He set me up on a 1,800 to 2,000 calorie diet and set my daily goal to burn 4,500 calories which I have done every day since I got the Bodybugg. After that I hit the weights and walked a mile on the treadmill. It was a good workout.

Thursday
I worked in the morning and then as soon as I got off I went home and changed and the headed out to be on the Angie Strader Show on Wishuponahero.com. It went really well and had some viewer feedback and was able to get a lot of encouragement out of the show. I did not get a workout in with all the stuff going on but I still burned 4,800 calories for the day.

Friday
I had a steady day at work and then when I got off work I headed out to the Keller 24 hour to sign up for lessons with John. I will work out with him on Wednesday mornings at 8am. I then got on the treadmill with plans to walk a mile but after I finished the first mile I still felt great so I walked a second mile. I was still feeling pretty good so I decided to keep going. I walked 3.1 miles (5K) and burned over 900 calories in one hour. I felt great and could have gone longer but my feet were starting to hurt. I ended the day with over 5,800 calories burned.

Saturday
We had an extremely busy day at work and as soon as I got off I headed straight for the gym. I was already tired from work once I got their but I was determined to get in some kind of a workout. I did 2 miles on the bike and a mile on the treadmill. I then went and sat in the sauna for 15 minutes and then went home to go to bed. I did not get a great workout in but I still burnt 5,600 calories for the day.

Each day so far I have kept my caloric intake under my goal of 2,000 calories. The best part is that it isn’t that hard to do because when you are eating healthy 2,000 calories is a lot of food. It is hard working at the donut shop but so far I am on day 4 without sugar, soft drinks, fast food, or anything fried. I will be working and totally forget that I am doing this and start to grab a donut and then remind myself of the bigger picture and I win the battle. I know that my overall goal is more important than a temporary satisfaction. It is not like most of the bad stuff really tastes good; it is just that my taste buds had gotten used to it. Water starts to taste good once you get used to drinking it.

What makes it easiest for me is Tuna, because I love tuna. I have been getting up in the mornings and having cornflakes for breakfast with 2% Milk and then at work for a snack I am eating some fruit. I am mixing it up with bananas, oranges, apples, pears, and strawberries. Also for my snack I will eat a Yoplait light yogurt. Then a few hours later for lunch I will eat a tuna sandwich. Then I will have a protein shake for my second snack and end dinner with some steamed chicken breast and some steamed vegetables. Overall it is a lot of food and actually taste pretty good. I am getting my balance of proteins, carbs, and fat. My goal is to learn as much about nutrition as I can over the next year so once I get to where I am healthy I can use it to help others.
Have a blessed day and let me know if you want to get together and work out with me.
Thaks
Gene
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2 comments:

  1. UnknownMay 2, 2010 at 6:29 PM

    I am so proud of you! It sounds like you're rockin' it. I have a question - how much time/work does it take to burn that many calories? I would think it would take 7 million miles on a bike or treadmill to do that. I'm just curious. I'm looking forward to following, supporting, and praying for you as you kick butt!

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  2. No More Big GeneMay 3, 2010 at 3:38 AM

    I am working 10 to 12 hour shifts on my feet most of the day. Also when you are my size you burn more calories just because you have to pull your weight around. Also I am spending about 2 hours a day in the gym right now. When everything picks up I will be in the gym about 4-5 hours a day. My job will not let me do that now because even with 2 hours in the gym and work I am only getting about 5 hours of sleep a day.

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