I started working out and eating healthier in September of 2009. Since, I have lost approximately 50 pounds and have been able to keep it off. I eat about a gram of protein for every pound I weigh on days I work out. I take in a little less on days I don't work out. I also do 120 push ups a day, 100 sit ups, 100 crunches, 80 shrugs (100 lbs), and 30 curls (50 lbs per side) daily, regardless of whether or not I hit up the gym. I eat roughly 2000 to 2500 calories a day. I don't do any cardio because of my asthma. I do a lot of long distance biking in the summer, but it's been too f*cking cold lately for that. I still drink diet pop and sugar free or low carb energy drinks. I also drink plenty of water every day. One word of caution, if you start taking more protein than your body needs, your kidneys are going to have to work harder to expunge the extra protein from your body. You'll have to take a leak all the time. I did this for a while and then I cut back on the protein a little and everything balanced out.