83R17151 JGH-D
By: Deshotel H.R. No. 1354
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, In a remarkable demonstration of self-motivation
and determination, Angela and Willie Gillis of Beaumont have
greatly improved their fitness and well-being by losing a combined
total of more than 500 pounds over the course of two years; and
WHEREAS, At the start of this remarkable journey, Mr. Gillis
weighed 492 pounds, and Ms. Gillis weighed 338 pounds; on January 6,
2011, a few days before their first wedding anniversary, they
decided to start living a more healthy lifestyle and lose as much
weight as they could; and
WHEREAS, The couple educated themselves about exercise and
began working out at a gym six days a week; at first, all they could
do was walk for 30 minutes on the treadmill, but eventually they
increased the duration of the exercise, and Ms. Gillis began
running; and
WHEREAS, The couple also learned more about food; they cut
back on eating out at restaurants and began to cook for themselves,
using more healthful ingredients such as vegetables, lean meat,
chicken, and fish, and they became more attentive to portion size
and to their intake of fat, sodium, and sugar; and
WHEREAS, Their mutual encouragement of each other was
essential to their success, since neither wanted to disappoint the
other; they also took advantage of every tool at their disposal,
using an iPhone application to track calories, keeping a
photographic record of their progress, and sharing their
experiences, recipes, and techniques for healthy living with others
on Ms. Gillis's blog at WeBeatFat.com; their story was featured in a
CNN Health article in March 2013; and
WHEREAS, Thanks to their smart choices, hard work, and
dedication, Mr. Gillis lost 300 pounds and Ms. Gillis lost 200
pounds; moreover, Mr. Gillis is now a member of a running club, and
Ms. Gillis recently completed a half marathon and teaches classes
at a local gym; and
WHEREAS, By taking responsibility for their own health and
working hard to achieve their goals, Angela and Willie Gillis not
only have made a great improvement in their own lives but also have
become an inspiring example to others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Angela and Willie Gillis on their
impressive weight loss and extend to them sincere best wishes for
continued success and happiness.