ONE STEP SPOTLIGHT: Gene Milstead

There is so much SUCCESS in the weight loss world and I am daily amazed by awesome stories I hear on facebook, by blog, at work or by word of mouth. I often see people walking or jogging on the sidewalks of town and in my car whisper a "Good job," because it fills me with joy seeing people push themselves to become a happier, healthier person.

The "ONE STEP spotlight" recognition comes from the famous quote, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." You have no clue how many people you can impact in life just by setting an example. So here it goes...

*****ONE STEP SPOTLIGHT*****

-101 LBS -

Name: Gene Milstead

Occupation: Weight Loser (lol)

Start Weight was 460 Current Weight is 359 for a Total Loss of 101

What is your game plan/approach to weight loss?

I am looking at this as a lifestyle change. This is something I am going to do for the rest of my life and help as many people as possible do the same. As for me and my house we will be passionate people about health and God. Lol

Favorite healthy food/recipe?

I am pretty plain since it is just me. I do my shake in the morning and a tuna sand with fruit for lunch a couple of healthy snacks and some chicken and vegetables for dinner. I am simple like that. If I have guests I like to make some turkey burgers or a wheat pasta with garlic, oil and spices. I also found some spinach and carrot wheat pasta it is really good.

Name 5 “must have” foods for your home?

1. Water
2. Tuna
3. Grapes
4. Protein Shake with Fiber
5. Sweet Potato

Favorite guilty pleasure?

Yogurt Land

What inspires/motivates you?

The thought that I am doing something bigger than myself. I am doing this so I can help others do the same thing. I want to pave a road to healthy success that others can drive on. I want to be able to show people that it can be done. If I can do it anyone can do it. I was 460 pounds and lazy and had no motivation. I had put this off my whole life. Then one day I realized there is so much I can't do because of my size. I made a list of all the stuff I wish I could do. That is a huge motivator. I am marking one thing at a time off that list.

What differences do you notice about your life NOW vs. before you were living a healthier life (ex. physically, emotionally, spiritually, socially)?

Physically- I have so much more energy. I am all over the place. It feels amazing. I love being able to go for a 4 mile walk or being able to go to a sporting event and not be tired when I get to my seat. I like being able to get dressed and not be worn out by the time I am done.


Emotionally- This is the hardest part for me. Through all of this I have been up and down emotionally but I know it is for the greater good. Before I was always down and depressed about my weight and with the loss of my parents. Now when I get down or mad I just go to the gym and take it out on the treadmill or elliptical.


Spiritually- Any time you make the decision to be healthy you are being obedient to God which is a good thing. The healthier I get the more clarity my thinking becomes. When you are overweight it runs your life. It controls where you go and what you do. I am not having to deal with that anymore.


Socially- I get more women flirting with me. Just being honest. Lol It is giving me more self confidence. Not cocky or arrogant. I am still the same person I just don't have a low self-esteem anymore. You have to learn that no matter what size you are you are still a beautiful person. You just need to lose the weight because you need to be healthy. If your main goal is to look good you will not be successful. You need to do it because you want to be healthy. A lot of people lose weight to look good and are still not happy with what they see. It is a mental battle.

Tell me your story? When/Why did you decide to start this healthier lifestyle?

I have been big my entire adult life. I was raised in an unhealthy home and both of my parents passed away very young due to health issues. This is one of the things that really motivates me is I want to live to see my kids that I will have some day grow up. Instead of realizing this when they died I actually got worse though. I gained over 120 pounds after my mom died. I finally made the decision to lose weight one day when I was having my quiet time with God. The night before I had watched The Biggest Loser and I was like I need to change my life. While I was praying I felt like God told me that if I didn't change I would be dead in 10 years. It hit me like someone had just knocked the wind out of me. I laid there and cried for about 15 minutes then got up a different man. I have not looked back. I wrote a letter to my friends and asked them to sponsor me and help me through the next year. I am taking a year away from everything and focusing on weight loss. I then created a website to help other people while on this journey.

WHAT HAS BEEN MOST REWARDING ON YOUR JOURNEY?

The most rewarding thing to me is seeing the lives that I am changing already. I am not special I am just being obedient to what God told me to do. I have a group of people I am encouraging to lose and they are following me on FB and my website and as a group we have lost over 400 pounds. To me that keeps me going. That drives me to be a better man, to get out of bed on the days I don't want to go to the gym. People are important to me. Even if I don't know you I still love you and I am here to help you in your journey. We can learn and shrink together.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PERSONAL GOALS YOU ARE STRIVING TOWARDS?

I want to lose 200 pounds during my 1 year journey. My overall goal is to get down to 200 pounds.

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE ASKING FOR ADVICE?

You need to start slow. Cut a few small things out of your meal plan at a time. It is a lifestyle change not a diet. This is a marathon not a sprint. Start walking around your block once a day until you can do more. If you try going to the gym for an hour a day you will get sore and burned out really quick. Just start slow and work your way up to it. You are not a reality show. This is your life. You don't have a group of Dr.'s and specialist watching every move you make. Also if you have questions feel free to ask me. There is a contact me section on my website. There are a lot of people like Demesha and myself who are here to help you on your journey. Don't be afraid to ask and there isn't a dumb question. This is your life we are talking about. Choose life, Don't Just Exist! My site is http://www.nomorebiggene.com/

WOULD YOU CONSIDER A CAREER IN HEALTH AND WELLNESS?

I am in the process of getting certified as a personal trainer and after the first of the year I am going to open a home to help young men lose weight. I feel like it is a spiritual, mental, and physical battle and you have to get a control of all three.