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Lobbyist trying to live without potato chips

Programming note: CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta follows Frank Purcell's progress on American Morning's "New You Resolution," Tuesdays, 6-10 a.m. ET.

Frank
Frank Purcell trades his usual BLT sandwich and potato chip lunch for a healthier tuna wrap.

SPECIAL REPORT

(CNN) -- Frank Purcell hopes to fit more workouts into his life as a lobbyist in Washington.

The bow tie-wearing, fiscal conservative joined the "New You Resolution" to figure out how to eat better and lower his cholesterol in the midst of a busy life, which includes working a full-time lobbying job, raising two kids and pursuing a master's degree.

The office candy machine is a particular stumbling block.

"If you keep walking, you've probably burned them off," Purcell jokes about the calories from the candy machine, located a short walk from his desk.

Purcell also loves ribs and fried chicken.

He is joined in the "New You Resolution" by Donna Watts-Brighthaupt, his lobbying assistant, who signed them up for the "New You Resolution" without first telling Purcell.

Here are Purcell's goals for the "New You Resolution":

1. Lose 75 pounds.

2. Fit in a cardio workout three to five days a week.

3. Lower total cholesterol from 229 to less than 200.

January 24 update

Purcell has seen tremendous success so far, in part, because he got a head start on his "New You Resolution."

"I'm starting to swim in some of my suits," he said. Purcell has lost 20 pounds in six weeks, after getting a three week jump on the three-week-old "New You" program.

He's limiting himself to an 1,800 calorie per day diet and making small changes, such as eating salmon instead of steak for lunch.

January 17 update

Frank Purcell came to New York last week for cooking and workout lessons during the first week of the "New You Resolution." He was encouraged to shoot for four or five days of cardio workouts per week and three days of strength training.

And he was told to trade his usual BLT and potato chip lunch for something healthier, like a tuna wrap.

"I think I can live without potato chips," Purcell said. "I better be able to live without potato chips, because I'm not going to be having potato chips for a while."

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