Mike--gotta say, very impressive!

I know everyone else has already said it, but you're an inspiration! It's easy to hold that fat and tell yourself it's mostly muscle and you can see abs, huh? I've been doing the same for a while now. I was in about the same shape you started in and thought I looked pretty good.
I came around and realized how bad it was one day and started losing weight but then I got very sick (not due to the diet). Anyway, the docs didn't even know what it was but in the end I lost over 12 inches of my large intestine. Recovery was (is) a bitch and once I could stand to eat again I gained about 30lbs over what I was at before it started.
Surgery was in May 05 and I've been having trouble with motivation since. I've started back to the gym and then quickly lost interest or made excuses for myself----then I saw you're thread(s).
Gotta say, I thought you were full of shit and wouldn't do it... Obviously, you suprised me and many others. I've been kicking ass in the gym and eating like I should for a few weeks now. I feel great and am looking a ton better. Thanks for having the balls to make me feel like I should "put up or shut up".
Let's see some more pics

P.S. Sorry about the long post!
Don't sweat the petty stuff
and NEVER, EVER pet the sweaty stuff