CALL ME CRAZY

Alright so this maybe a bit crazy, but I think I'm considering a show in my near future. This may be a lofty goal as I was quite ill last year and went from a lean muscular 155 to a 118 pound skeleton. Three extensive surgeries from December to June, and missing my colon and a good portion of my lower intestine under my belt, but I have been lifting and eating healthy again. I'm sitting around 136 pounds and about 6-7 percent body fat. For some reason I'm feeling like I now is the time to prove something to myself, and I'm playing with the idea of trying to step on a stage next summer. Before this happens I'd like to get my bodyweight back to 150 but ideally 160-165. I know there are a lot of natural competitors on the RA site, so my question is if I'm serious could I get some insight on how to start looking into possible shows. I live in CT, so something in the New England or Tri-state area would be ideal. Keep in mind this is way in the future, and if I was to do a show it wouldn't be until July or August of 2009.

I feel your pain buddy. I have Crohn's disease and have gone through four surgeries myself. I went from 115 to 140 in a year and a half, so anything is possible. I think i'm at where you are now in terms of wanting to prove something and stepping into the spotlight. I hope your recovery is going well!

My recovery is finally going well despite a bunch of past complications. The last year of my life was hell, but I'm glad to say I'm still standing. My heart goes out to you. Despite almost losing my life, once they removed the colon the colitis was gone. It hasn't made things easy for me, but I will never have to deal with the pain of colitis again. Unfortunately the same cannot be said about Crohns. It is a terrible disease, but you seem to have made some great strides. On another note I read your student blog and our stories are nearly identical. Though I give you a lot of credit putting up with something like this in college. I was lucky enough to have four enjoyable years of college disease free. Mine was one of those freak cases where I was diagnosed this past July, and by the end of November the disease had gotten so bad that the colon was going to perforate if it wasn't removed. There were days I would lie on my bed writhing in pain just trying to get dressed for work. I remember the day I first ended up in the hospital. I was in terrible pain all day, and had lost a lot of blood and fluid. Somehow I made it through teaching my first three periods. The first break I got I promptly went to the men's room and collapsed. When I came to I told my principal I had to leave, and stupidly drove myself to the hospital. It's crazy the things you do when your body is in shock. If you ever need a sympathetic ear you know you got someone who can relate.

go for it! You are already a champ in my eyes! You have great courage!

Thanks Joe,

Appreciate the guidance and kind words. You know I've heard it from others before, but it is very odd to think of myself as an inspiration. Hopefully I will be able to do this when the time comes. It all depends on if my body will allow me to gain enough quality mass over the next year.

I am so excited for you! The first thing I would say is pick a show, then start to look for someone with experience in training for shows in your area. I am sure that if you call a few gyms in your area or a max muscle store if there is one near by they can help you. Where are you in CT? My mom family is in Orange. Good Luck!

Thanks,

I talked to my I guess you'd call "guru" Layne Norton, and we may shoot for next fall. I'm in North Haven very close to Orange actually. I'm finally going to put up some pics in my locker room. Nothing to brag about, and excuse my scar and pasty white ass.

Good luck man, hope it goes well

Best of luck buddy ... you're the real Winner...

Best of luck, but like everyoe has said you are already a winner for what you have overcome!