Man Loses Weight By Eating At 1 North Jersey Restaurant For A Month

HOBOKEN, NJ — A 27-year-old Hoboken man was able to drop nine pounds after eating mainly at one local restaurant, he said.

Tim Donohue decided to eat only at Sweetgreen in Hoboken for nearly a month after feeling "culture shock" when his co-workers at his New York advertising firm were always eating healthy food, while he brought fast food, he said.

"In NYC/Hoboken, it takes a certain level of responsibility to pack healthy lunches or order salads with responsible portions," he told Patch on Monday. "When I would go out with co-workers, I would be the devil on their shoulder."

So for 25 days, he ate only at Sweetgreen, mainly in Hoboken, but occasionally in New York City. As reported first in the New York Post on Friday, he lost nine pounds.

In a video that Donohue posted to social media last week under the name "Tim Possible," he said he slimmed down to 178 pounds, was able to do pull-ups for the first time in three years, and stopped craving other foods.

But there were downsides, he said.

He said he felt "miserable" eating only from one place.

The Takeaway

"Balance is important," he said in the video. "What you eat completely affects your energy."

He spent a total of $997, or around $40 a day. He ate 50 bowls and 20 sides.

"I mean, I don't look like Captain America," he said, "but it's been 25 days."

Exceptions

Donohue kept a spreadsheet with statistics, even how often he had a bowel movement (you'll have to see that for yourself).

"It goes without saying," he said, "but this is not an ad, and I don't recommend it."

The healthy ingredients may not have been the only reason Donahue lost weight. He also gave up alcohol, but refused to stop drinking black coffee.

Donohue told Patch on Monday that he largely stuck to the Hoboken store when he ate.

"I did...pack multiple bowls when I went home to visit my parents," he said.

New Store

As reported by Patch, the Sweetgreen in Hoboken opened in August 2025, offering dozens of fresh ingredients in bowls.

The Washington Street location serves up rice, greens, protein plates, and other items, featuring the Harvest Bowl, Crispy Rice Bowl, Caramelized Garlic Steak, Miso Glazed Salmon, and more.

Sweetgreen loved Donohue's idea so much, they launched their own challenge.

"It was great to see that he craved Sweetgreen even after he finished the challenge," Nicholas Jammet, the co-founder and chief concept officer at Sweetgreen, told Patch. "What stood out to us was the variety of menu items he could eat over 25 days, which speaks to the optionality of our menu and the many ways you can customize. ... We put out an open call for 30 participants to eat only Sweetgreen for 30 days and document how they feel throughout. After receiving hundreds of applications, we selected our final participants and the challenge will run starting today until Oct. 21."

Donohue said he will make more videos about "side quests," although he may stay away from food challenges for a while.

And he said that the staff at the local Sweetgreen finally recognized him on Monday.

"They took their work gloves off to shake my hand," he noted.

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