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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.

Kids keeping dad honest

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Frank Purcell fits a friendly game of football in between his busy schedule of work and school.

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New You Resolution

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

The bow tie-wearing fiscal conservative joined the "New You Resolution" program to figure out how to eat better and lower his cholesterol while maintaining a busy schedule. Besides work, he also is raising two kids and pursuing a master's degree.

The office candy machine is a stumbling block for Purcell.

"If you keep walking, you've probably burned them off," Purcell said, joking about the calories acquired from the candy machine close to his desk.

Purcell also loves ribs and fried chicken.

His lobbying assistant, Donna Watts-Brighthaupt, is Purcell's "New You Resolution" partner. She signed them up for the program without first telling her boss.

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.

February 28 update

Not that Frank Purcell's "New You" success is going to his head, but if it ever did, his son Ian would be there to bring him down to size.

"He's lamb fat -- lamb meat, I said 'lamb meat,' " Ian said tauntingly while tossing a football with his dad.

"Whaaat?" Frank yelled in reply.

February 21 update

Purcell's weigh-loss total is now 27 pounds. But that doesn't mean he always keeps to the straight and narrow path of a good diet.

When he does stray, Watts-Brighthaupt, his "New You" partner, is there to let everyone know.

"He had four whopping cookies. Yes, I told on you, Frank," she said.

February 14 update

Although Purcell has made steady progress toward his weight-loss goal, he still gets cravings for one of his favorite snacks: potato chips.

"I was having some chips, which was fine, but a little while later I was like, ugggh," Purcell said.

February 7 update

Purcell celebrated his 40th birthday last week with a carrot cake. Although that might sound healthy, it actually had 302 calories per serving.

Despite the calorie-laden cake, Purcell has managed to lose 25 pounds so far. He's a third of the way to his goal of losing 75 pounds, and he feels great.

January 31 update

Purcell has been making strides toward healthier eating, along with Watts-Brighthaupt.

He's bringing healthy lunches that contain wraps and fruit to the office instead of going to a deli, which helps him control his calorie intake.

January 24 update

Purcell got a head start on his "New You Resolution." He lost 20 pounds in six weeks after getting a three-week jump on the program.

"I'm starting to swim in some of my suits," he said.

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

January 17 update

Purcell came to New York 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 such as 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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