Taking the plunge

Today I'm submitting my application to participate in the 2nd annual Genghis Grill Health Kwest contest. From their site:

It is a 2 month contest where selected khantestants will eat Genghis Grill once a day, adopt a healthy diet and exercise plan and share their journey online where the public will vote for their favorite.The winner will receive $10,000 and most importantly: a healthier lifestyle! 

So yes, today I'm submitting a (shirtless!) picture of myself, a bunch of online contact details, and submitting myself to going on one of the most interesting diets in history. Going out to one of my favorite eateries, for free, every day for two months? I'm in!

Of course, one of the reasons Genghis Grill is a favorite of mine is you can choose from a number of options, and have just about any amount of food you want. To be successful I will have to make good food choices, and Genghis Grill makes that pretty easy. I'm determined to finally hit my goal weight, and I know it's going to take a lot of work to get there. This contest will be a fantastic motivator for me to make it happen.

Here are my commitments if I am selected as a finalist:

1. This blog will be updated with at least five posts per week, and at least one picture and one weigh-in per week. 
2. Every visit I make to Genghis Grill will be documented in some way through pictures and/or posts. I'll try and identify the types and amounts of foods I consume while there.
3. I will exercise for at least 45 minutes, at least 5 days a week. I expect my workouts will be a blend of walking, swimming, and strength training.

Oh, and there's one more thing: If I win, I will be donating the $10,000 prize to charity! Let's face it, a $10,000 prize would be awesome. As the contest site says, though, the healthier lifestyle (and the free meals!) are really what I'm in it for. I've been thinking about this a lot, and I think it would be especially fitting if I won $10,000 by losing weight, and then turn around and donate that money to help people who don't have enough to eat. So that's exactly what I will do. 

So, please keep tabs on this blog, and support me on my weight loss efforts. Come eat with me and/or exercise with me. And help me win this contest so I can not only become healthier myself, but help others too!