Greetings,

Fall is definitely here. Downtown Holland is decked out with pumpkins, hay
bales, & cornstalks. It's getting a bit chillier on my 4am jogs as well,
I may need to break out my winter hat and gloves if it gets much colder.

To get the bad stuff out of the way first, I was unable to get a weigh-in
number this month due to the fact that the scale I use for my weigh-ins was
in need of repair.
Hopefully they will have it fixed soon so I can check my weight. They did
have a traditional sliding-weight scale, but I cannot compare those numbers
to the electronic scale
(as I think it was in need of calibration).

On the other side of things I have several exciting things to report:

* I had recently sent a letter to the mayor of Holland explaining my weight
loss efforts and how on my noon walks I noticed so many lovely things about
the city.
From the changing seasons on the Window on the Waterfront, to the wonderful
Victorian architecture in many of the historic homes. I thought that the
city could benefit
from taking a day to check out their own neighborhoods and had asked the
mayor to dedicate September 28th as "Walk Your Neighborhood Day".

I met with the mayor in person this past Monday, where he proceeded to
present a proclamation stating that September 28th would indeed be
"Walk Your Neighborhood Day" in Holland. I have scanned a copy of it into my
photo album on Yahoo.

* I was recently contacted by the events coordinator for Holland Hospital
and was asked to speak publicly about my weight loss
as a part of their winter catalog of events. I was absolutely floored! Of
course I would do it!

* This past Tuesday I entered my Toastmasters International group's humorous
speech contest.
To my surprise, my speech entitled - "The See Food Diet", won first place!
Now apparently I have the opportunity to compete
in an area speaking contest among the winners of the 4 other area
Toastmasters International groups. i have scanned a copy of that award as
well.

* I also have to honor of being presented with an award in a few weeks from
the West Michigan Character Council,
a group that meets to discuss character-building and recognize those in the
area that have shown character.

* I have also launched a new project on YouTube that I have titled
"PhatteningPhilms". I will be posting videos of my speeches as well as
starting a bi-weekly show called, "The Fattening of America", where I hope
to share some of the bizarre and misleadings things I have come across in my
weight loss journey -

www.youtube.com/user/phatteningphilms

I have two videos up now with more to come...

Lots of positive things going on, I truly feel blessed.

Today is a very special day for me and my wife Brenda. 10 years ago today we
were pronounced man and wife.
Bren has been a great wife, mother, supporter, & friend. Honestly I cannot
say where I would be today without her love and support.
She truly deserves much more than I could ever give her. Happy Anniversary,
Bren...

Feel free to check out some of the photos from that magical day:

http://photos.yahoo.com/mvanderplow

Although this update didn't include a weigh-in figure, there still are many
positive non-scale victories!

Thank you all again for your continued support throughout my weight loss
journey. Myself and my family really and deeply appreciate it!

Matty (I weighed more than Jared from Subway)
481/248??/225
(starting weight/current weight/goal weight)

First mini goal achieved - 104lbs lost 10/26/04
Second mini goal achieved - 137lbs lost 01/28/05
Third mini goal achieved - 183lbs lost 09/30/05
Fourth mini goal achieved - 204lbs total lost 01/30/06
Fifth mini goal achieved - 233lbs total lost by 08/31/06
Sixth mini goal - 256lbs total lost by 02/27/07

PS - I am a glutton for punishment, I entered the Zeeland PumpkinFest
Chili-Cookoff again this year. Wish me luck...