Im in and everyone can just send there plugs to me.

I wont be officially joining the "challenge" but want to offer some inspiration as the last several months have been very eye opening for my husband and I. We now eat nutritiously ....not caloric-ly (is that even a word?:biglaugh:)

We saw program on PBS with dr Joel Furhman and after being intrigued by his ideals we bought two of his books. Since July my hubby has gone from 280 to 235 to date.....lighter than when we met 18 years ago. He has been doing some work outs but not any more or less than he was doing prior to the change in diet. I myself am down from from 195 to 178 (also since July) by simply changing my diet alone.....if anything my already limited exercise level has been less since then due to my job and circumstances had me working 50-60 hours a week also since July...sitting at a desk for 12 hour days. Whats my point here? My point is that I have always been what you would call "plump" my whole life. It seemed the harder I tried with diets & exersise the worse I failed. Over the last 16 years I just kept gaining a pound here...a pound there....nothing seemed to work for me until now.

At first we used his books as a guide to get started....basically more (or mostly) fruits & veggies. We did not stick strictly to his plan by any means because it was to extreme for us but we drastically reduced our fats and meat intake. We by no means eliminated these things or went vegan. We started with his recipes for ideas but then "tweaked them" and made them our own. I know it may sound a little hokey but believe it or not you really CAN feel full and stay satisfied on a plate of veggies, nuts & seeds! A fruit smoothie for breakfast will hold you over until lunch and frozen banana "icecream" with walnuts & blueberries IS as delish as the real deal. Trust me I LOVE my buffalo wings smothered in Blue cheese as much as the next overweight person so for me to say this is do-able.....it is do-able!

We feel better, more energy, less grogginess, sluggishness, etc. The less refined sugar you have the less you want it and the less you can tolerate of it. I cannot drink a regular dunkies with cream and sugar anymore because its too sweet. The more nutrition you get the less you crave food because your body is gettig what it needs!

I can go on and on but I will stop boring you now! Hopefully I have unspired some of you to try just simply adding more fruits & veggies. We as americans do not eat enough and know it but rarely do anything to change it. The fact that if I of all people can do it...anyone can do it. Yes I falter from time to time but when I do I usually regret it because I now know how eating pasta or drinking a soda makes me feel afterward and I dont want to feel bloated and crappy anymore!

Best wishes to the 2012 Portlies! I wish you all the best and hope over the next year I regret not being an "official' challenger myself! :love:

P.S. we still enjoy our beer :)

Jenn what are the titles of his books?

I think he has a few but the two we got were "eat right America" and "Eat to Live". Again we didnt do his "6 week plan" or stick to every word he said but used a lot of his ideals or adjusted them to what worked for us. We used the books to give us ideas and then made them our own.

I am in w.mass but our local PBS station has been repeating his special pretty regularly (maybe you can find it on your local station as well?)I have also found a lot of his videos on youtube.....many of which mirror what he says in his books but you wont get recipe ideas.

I'm in!

You can eat well, stay healthy, plus enjoy good food(and drink) without really giving up a lot. This book was the precursor to all the new fad diets. I read it over and over until I gained a thorough understanding of everything in it, particularly with regard to the carb and protein contents of everything I eat.

I was about 202 after my wedding and maintain around 185 now with no problem. I would highly recommend the book as its inspiring, interesting, and very easy to understand. Keep in mind it's not simply a diet, but a permanent lifestyle change. I'm in better shape all around now(still have #^&#^&#^&#^& for brains though) at 41 than I was at 21.

My bible:

Mike, I can't even imagine you at 202. I'm 270 right now :eek: Eating right is definitely the most important component to losing weight IMO...

I'm in please.

Looks like a good turnout, good luck everyone.

I'm in
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Lost 23 pounds since my new hip on Nov. 29th. Diverticulitis is a great diet aid.

I was 229 in October...Now a lean 173 and planning on staying here...Good luck guys...It can be done...BTW, my cholesterol is still through the roof.....go figure...

what's the plan?

How is Thursday night at LuxeBurger in PVD for a Portly Angler kick off? I sent ChefChris a PM to see if that is OK.

Official start January 1st

That's great for me, I'll be there all day and night.

Who are we sending plugs too? Mine are ready along with some bucktails I tied.
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doesn't work for me :( but i assume that we don't need to be at the official kickoff to be in? who's keeping score? what are ground rules?

If you go to Luxe, get the fatty melt burger it's AWESOME...

Ground rules are same as normal - I started a 2012 thread

Kick off Party Thursday night Dec 29 at Luxe Burger in Providence (ChefChris will be working there that night). No need to be there but it should be fun.

Need to know how many are in for Luxe Burger.

2012 Thread: http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...r-contest.html

Plugs - bring them with you Thursday night if you can - or follow info in thread