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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, In a remarkable demonstration of self-motivation |
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and determination, Angela and Willie Gillis of Beaumont have |
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greatly improved their fitness and well-being by losing a combined |
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total of more than 500 pounds over the course of two years; and |
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WHEREAS, At the start of this remarkable journey, Mr. Gillis |
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weighed 492 pounds, and Ms. Gillis weighed 338 pounds; on January 6, |
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2011, a few days before their first wedding anniversary, they |
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decided to start living a more healthy lifestyle and lose as much |
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weight as they could; and |
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WHEREAS, The couple educated themselves about exercise and |
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began working out at a gym six days a week; at first, all they could |
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do was walk for 30 minutes on the treadmill, but eventually they |
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increased the duration of the exercise, and Ms. Gillis began |
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running; and |
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WHEREAS, The couple also learned more about food; they cut |
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back on eating out at restaurants and began to cook for themselves, |
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using more healthful ingredients such as vegetables, lean meat, |
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chicken, and fish, and they became more attentive to portion size |
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and to their intake of fat, sodium, and sugar; and |
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WHEREAS, Their mutual encouragement of each other was |
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essential to their success, since neither wanted to disappoint the |
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other; they also took advantage of every tool at their disposal, |
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using an iPhone application to track calories, keeping a |
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photographic record of their progress, and sharing their |
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experiences, recipes, and techniques for healthy living with others |
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on Ms. Gillis's blog at WeBeatFat.com; their story was featured in a |
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CNN Health article in March 2013; and |
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WHEREAS, Thanks to their smart choices, hard work, and |
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dedication, Mr. Gillis lost 300 pounds and Ms. Gillis lost 200 |
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pounds; moreover, Mr. Gillis is now a member of a running club, and |
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Ms. Gillis recently completed a half marathon and teaches classes |
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at a local gym; and |
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WHEREAS, By taking responsibility for their own health and |
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working hard to achieve their goals, Angela and Willie Gillis not |
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only have made a great improvement in their own lives but also have |
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become an inspiring example to others; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Angela and Willie Gillis on their |
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impressive weight loss and extend to them sincere best wishes for |
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continued success and happiness. |