Good luck,
I've been on a diet since Oct 24th this year and have lost 20 lbs on a paid diet program. I probably would have lost more if I hadn't cheated on the diet as much or attended so many social functions. All in all I'm half way there but I definitely feel better doing it.
And Mike,
I'd love to go on that diet of yours except it would cause some major financial issues being away for that long. Now if I can only get out and buy a lottery ticket and win something decent, it would make things easier. LOL