Your Thoughts & Prayers Requested...

Hello Everyone, I know that I haven't been here in such a long time, and that I am only now just "coming back out of my shell", and I realize that my request is nowhere near as urgent as some of the others I have seen on here, but I am asking from my heart nonetheless... 2008 so far has been a year of tremendous change for me.  Spiritual change, emotional change, and of course with bodybuilding, physical change.  I am just starting to realize the person that I can be, and I am so blessed with so much in my life. Well, no matter how much muscle I build, or how much I change the shape of my body and change my attitude towards life, the huge amount of skin around my abdomen is going nowhere.  If you have seen my photos, through exercise and weights I have tightened up everything else; my arms, my chest, etc. - but no amount of weights, crunches, or protein powders will change the skin around my abdomen, and no matter how much effort I put into changing my body, I am still so embarassed that I can't even wear a simple bathing suit at the beach.  The amount of skin is enormous. My local doctor, in all his wisdom, referred me to a local plastic surgeon through my insurance to have the skin removed.  My doctor has listed this as a required medical necessity, and so he hopes to have this go through the insurance process, since I do not have the $12500 needed for the operation.  I have very high hopes. My referral appointment with the plastic surgeon is next Monday, and I am asking for you to join me in positive thoughts and prayers that I will be able to go on through with the surgery and get the skin removed.  This skin has been a major contributor to my feeling so badly about myself in the past, and also past depression.  This surgery means so very much to me, that words alone cannot express how much.  If for any reason the insurance goes against y surgeon's recommendation for the skin removal as a necessity, I will sell anything I have in my home, no matter what, to help pay for the surgery.  I pray that it will not come to that.  God has taken me on this journey and has led me so far, and I have complete faith and trust in the outcome, no matter what it is. On a lighter note, I am officially weight training in the EAS 2008 Body For Life Challenge, and it is completely transforming my life.  As a large man, bodybuilding was nothing more than a pipedream; a fantasy.  I believe that God has given me the strength to heal myself, and to take on this new challenge in my life. It has taken a great deal of time and commitment on my part, but I know that in the end it will be well worth it.  I train 6 days a week (3 days of heavy weights and 3 days of cardio), by rising at 3:30AM, and reporting to the Ft. Rucker gym by 5AM sharp Monday through Friday (Saturdays is just elliptical cardio in my house in the morning).  Part of this training has been a new relationship with food and eating.  I now eat approximately 3200 calories a day, over 6-7 meals, comprising approximately 350 grams of protein, 350-400 grams of low glycemic carbohydrates, and around 60 grams of good fats.  Imagine - ALL that!  Yet, by the grace of God, it all just seems to work!  I would never have thought that life like this was possible. Not only have people from EAS been very supportive, but so has my trainer and the US Army, for taking me under their wing.  Please also send me your positive thoughts and prayers for my continued success in this endeavor. God bless you all, and thank you for always being there, Michael

Never underestimate the power of the surgeons insurance team.  They can move mountains with a lot of help from the ALMIGHTY.  You will have this surgery and we will be here to cheer you on.  Are you by chance using Dr. Baker? Gwen, you neighbor across the river

HI GWEN!!!! No, I am using Dr. Owens, since he has offices at both the Medical Center and at Flowers, where my insurance considers to be "preferred providers" and so they pay a lot more (90%)... :) Thank you for the lovely encouraging post!  God bless you!! - Mike

They worked together for several years.  You will be in EXCELLENT hands.    You mentioned in another thread about missing the Montgomery dinner.  We need to plan one for Dothan.  There are several members in the area.   Glad to see you back posting Gwen

Thanks, Gwen - YES, we need to plan it!  Let's do it! :)  That would be fun!

We will do it.  Let's set a date and place and we will PARTY

First let me say...and I don't mean this in flirty way (I am a happily married woman) but your body looks gorgeous!!!  Really!!  Good for you and your dedication and hard work!!!  You are an inspiration to me. Keep up the great work, I am so proud for you.

You are so lovely - thank you so much!  By the way, the photo of you and your girls is TRULY gorgeous!  God bless you and your family! - Mike

Hi Michael yes I will pray for that issue I can relate quite well. My brother has major skin al around his middle he has lost 100 lbs and does strength and cardio. I do hope everything continues to go well You look absolutely amazing and I am indeed proud of you! Donna

Hi Donna - - thank you so much, I really appreciate it! :) Have a beautiful day! Mike