Carbo Unloading

New eating challenge for the next four weeks: let's tackle carbs.

I could use a little kick-in-the rear on eating habits to get in shape for the summer, and I've been playing around with a challenge to drastically reduce the carbohydrates I eat.

Notice I didn't say eliminate them.

I think that's a bit unhealthily, and very unrealistic for me. Instead, I want to cut out all the big ones -- breads and snacks and things. I've come up with a list of "Ok to Eat" and a "Don't Eat" list, but I'd like your opinion. I think this is going to be hard, but am I giving myself too many outs? Obviously, there's tons more that can be eaten, but all the "Ok to Eats" are specifically things that have carbs, but I'm going to allow myself.

And, more importantly, who's with me?

I propose the challenge to be April 26th - May 26th. Not enough time before April 26th to "bulk up" on carbs before we start, and end just before the Memorial Day BBQs.

Don't Eat:

Bread (bagels, rolls, sliced bread, English muffins...)

Pastries, cake, cookies, donuts

Rice

White potatoes in any form

Pretzels

Chips (potato, tortilla; baked or fried)

Pasta

Cereal

Pizza

Ice cream

Ok to Eat:

Yogurt

Fruits

Chocolate (come on -- no cakes or cookies? I gotta be able to have M&M's!)

Nuts

Sweet potatoes

Soft flour tortilla shells (used as a sandwich substitute, not a chip substitute)

Alcohol

Orange juice

What do you think? Who wants in? What's the penalty for cheating?