Operation Eliminate "Big" Mike
Donation protected
My Story....
I have always been Big Mike...I was born into a larger family, big-boned people, who like any family dealt with issues and concerns, however they could, one convenient outlet was the use of food. I was the kind of kid who always cleaned my plate, and I was always taller and fatter than my peers. I weighed more than my 3rd grade reading teacher; I know this because I could bounce her on the teeter-totter.
Athletics were always challenging for me, but I was a hard worker and spent countless hours trying to better myself. I was voted in as Co-Captain of the football team my senior year. In High School a huge emotional and psychological event happened with the divorce of my parents. It was my sophomore year and I was "down" to only 220 pounds. Home was not a place I like to be so I joined 20 clubs in school, worked more, and food became an outlet. As a lineman my job was to use my size to protect our players so being big was a big deal. My senior year I weighed 275 in season.
Then I went off to college. People talk of the freshman "15", but being an exceptional guy I experienced the freshman 50 instead, and then almost the sophomore 60. My weight became a huge concern; I began to exercise more and experimented with the very controversial Atkin's diet. It worked and the pounds melted away, but I was worried eating so much protein and it was difficult to separate the fate from it. Never hungry, yet never full...then I stopped doing it and the 80-100 pounds I had lost returned, and for good measure more weight showed up.
My health was terrible, I developed high blood pressure, sleep apnea and even walking too far or too many steps would be tough. I had a special scale so I could measure myself and it talked and I didn't like what it said. Flying to Survivor charity events and finales was always tricky because I hated to make other people uncomfortable and I always dreaded I would be forced to buy a second seat or be thrown off the plane. I have to buy my clothes at a special store...I am now over 450 pounds and it just sucks.
My family and friends were and are extremely worried about me, my doctor basically said I needed to do weight loss surgery or I would die. I did some research and found a weight loss specialist I liked at a seminar, but my insurance does not cover any bariatric procedures. I am getting help from my Mom and other family members, but I thought since I have given so much, to so many people over the years, that perhaps people could help Big Mike. I am raising money to help pay the cost for a medical procedure to help me kick start a health renaissance for my mind, body and soul. Rome wasn't built in a day and this will not be an easy process, but with the support of each and one of you I can hopefully reach this goal, make myself a healthier person and lose the 200+ pounds I am carrying around. I was on the brink of death, but now I want to live. Any donation would be greatly appreciated.
I have always been Big Mike...I was born into a larger family, big-boned people, who like any family dealt with issues and concerns, however they could, one convenient outlet was the use of food. I was the kind of kid who always cleaned my plate, and I was always taller and fatter than my peers. I weighed more than my 3rd grade reading teacher; I know this because I could bounce her on the teeter-totter.
Athletics were always challenging for me, but I was a hard worker and spent countless hours trying to better myself. I was voted in as Co-Captain of the football team my senior year. In High School a huge emotional and psychological event happened with the divorce of my parents. It was my sophomore year and I was "down" to only 220 pounds. Home was not a place I like to be so I joined 20 clubs in school, worked more, and food became an outlet. As a lineman my job was to use my size to protect our players so being big was a big deal. My senior year I weighed 275 in season.
Then I went off to college. People talk of the freshman "15", but being an exceptional guy I experienced the freshman 50 instead, and then almost the sophomore 60. My weight became a huge concern; I began to exercise more and experimented with the very controversial Atkin's diet. It worked and the pounds melted away, but I was worried eating so much protein and it was difficult to separate the fate from it. Never hungry, yet never full...then I stopped doing it and the 80-100 pounds I had lost returned, and for good measure more weight showed up.
My health was terrible, I developed high blood pressure, sleep apnea and even walking too far or too many steps would be tough. I had a special scale so I could measure myself and it talked and I didn't like what it said. Flying to Survivor charity events and finales was always tricky because I hated to make other people uncomfortable and I always dreaded I would be forced to buy a second seat or be thrown off the plane. I have to buy my clothes at a special store...I am now over 450 pounds and it just sucks.
My family and friends were and are extremely worried about me, my doctor basically said I needed to do weight loss surgery or I would die. I did some research and found a weight loss specialist I liked at a seminar, but my insurance does not cover any bariatric procedures. I am getting help from my Mom and other family members, but I thought since I have given so much, to so many people over the years, that perhaps people could help Big Mike. I am raising money to help pay the cost for a medical procedure to help me kick start a health renaissance for my mind, body and soul. Rome wasn't built in a day and this will not be an easy process, but with the support of each and one of you I can hopefully reach this goal, make myself a healthier person and lose the 200+ pounds I am carrying around. I was on the brink of death, but now I want to live. Any donation would be greatly appreciated.
Organizer
Michael Allbright
Organizer
Wilmington, OH
