The challenge: 2009

We have undertaken a challenge, a challenge of great strength and determination, a challenge that will likely see death, pain and misery.

Of course, that can only mean one thing; it's a weight challenge.

Now, starting at my super-buff 115kg, it should be a relatively easy process of starting to shed those pounds kilograms. The issue I've mainly been having is, I don't eat at McDonald's, I don't replace meals with ice cream and I don't think "a milkshake is a fine and vital source of calcium".

So, tougher measures are needed!

With the help of a part-evil, part-kind personal trainer and the dietary advice of a sadistic financial adviser, the plan to achieve the greatest weight loss in 2009 has been set.

Here is the progress to date. Thanks to the genius that is Google Docs, this chart should will actually update as I update the data. I'm going to go ahead and apologize now if it doesn't.

So, what are the terms of the challenge? Simple, $1 is paid for every pound lost; simple as that. That $1 is then duly returned to its rightful owner, GAP, Old Navy, Target, Walmart and Banana Republic upon our triumphant return to Texas in December.

Now, obviously I'm shooting for $300, but I would have to implode for that to happen, so to keep things achievable, I think I'll just try for the "Ideal Body Weight" of 67.4kg (150lbs) as it seems like a nice figure (in every sense of the word).

It's not easy, lots of exercise (and it keeps getting more) and what I think is a pretty harsh diet; but, ultimately, it's gonna be great!