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

5/31/10

Where you came from will get where you are going.

So over the past couple of days I have been going through some strange emotions. I have been learning that when you put on weight your fat stores memories. Or as brain pickers (psychiatrist) say that your fat remembers moods and as you lose the weight you can remember the depression that you were in that caused you to gain the weight in the first place. This is the reason why so many people can do good for a few weeks or months and then fall right back into the same patters they were in before.

I did not believe any of this until yesterday. Before I always thought I was just week and didn't have the will power to be successful. But yesterday I went through a real funk. It started off as missing my parents and then turned into being mad at them for not taking care of them selves and teaching me the correct eating and working out habits to be successful and then moved into a happiness this morning because it made me realize all that I was going through right now is because of what my parents taught me. I realized that because I am changing my future, my kids will not have to go through what I am going through right now. They are going to have healthy parents who will teach them good habits.

I know that it is good to focus on the good memories which is what I do most of the time. My parents were two of the most interesting, odd, crazy, loving, fun, spontaneous, caring, generous, and faithful persons to walk the earth. I am very grateful for the time I did have with them. I guess my point today is that we sometimes need to focus on what they did wrong and use it to make you stronger and to teach you what to do right. I am grateful now for everything they did do and everything they didn't do. It would have been easier if they had taught me good eating habits but it is making me a stronger man to learn them on my own because now I will never forget them and I will be able to use this to help many people in the future. I want to use it to help parents who are making the same mistakes change so there kids do not have to lose both their parents while they are still in their early 20's.

I love you guys ant thank you for all that you are doing for me. Thank you for your donations, your prayers and last but not least your motivation. It is forcing me to face the future and I am doing it with my head up getting ready for a bright future.
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3 comments:

  1. DFW Home FitnessMay 31, 2010 at 7:29 AM

    That's tough! Sorry about your parents Gene! I think it os awesome how you are turning the negatives into positives though! Keep up the work, you are doing great!

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  2. Angie StraderMay 31, 2010 at 1:13 PM

    Gene - It sounds like you are going through a lot of self-discovery and reinvention of yourself. I am proud of you for sharing your story with all of the downs (weight loss) and downs (struggles). You are an inspiration to many and personally one of my heroes. Be kind to yourself Gene and know that there is nothing you can't do! Hugs!

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  3. UnknownMay 31, 2010 at 5:49 PM

    Gene. what up dude! Keep up the good work and its awesome as well how you tuned a negative into a positive and keep your mind focused on what your doing and you will do great. I can't wait to see ya soon man and I am right there with you. I am pushing and wokring out myself to get ready for the wedding in october so if you ever need a word of encouragement or anything let me know we can help each other be accountable.

    Adrian

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