Bob Frick, 60, of Columbus, Ohio, loves to cook, and he loves to eat.
His passion for food has served him well: In 1988, he and his wife, Corrine, opened a family restaurant called BC Roosters, which has since grown into a popular chain.
But he has paid a high price for his love affair with food: In 1988, he was overweight and had a heart attack, and in 1999 he was obese and had triple bypass surgery. "It took the triple bypass to open my eyes and make me realize I had to change my lifestyle or die."
Since then, Frick has changed the ways he cooks and eats and has lost almost 100 pounds.
His story was selected by a panel of experts to be featured in the fifth annual USA TODAY Weight-Loss Challenge in the newspaper and at dietchallenge.usatoday.com. This year's challenge, which runs every Monday through mid-May, focuses on weight-loss champions who have inspired others to lose.
"The pathetic thing about it is that I have a bachelor's degree and master's degree in health education," he says. "It's so bad that someone who is so aware of health is destroying himself."
After the triple bypass, Frick worked for months to reformulate his recipes. "I don't eat or use butter or cream anymore. I use olive oil. I eat a kind of Mediterranean diet. I cook Greek recipes, Hungarian, Cajun. I make them low-fat and use tons of spices. I eat this way at home."
He doesn't serve any of these recipes in his restaurants, but he's working on some heart- healthier items for them as well.
Frick and his wife often take cruises, but even the ever-present buffets don't throw him off course. "I am able to be consistent with my weight by making healthful choices and asking how things are prepared and the ingredients used in the preparation."
He is convinced that people have to be vigilant both at home and when dining out. "People have to educate themselves on food and know exactly what they are eating."
Frick has motivated Terra Pernell, 42, of Dayton, Ohio, to start losing weight. Terra's husband, Derrick, is a manager at one of Frick's restaurants. He has counseled her on what to eat and how to exercise.
"Bob sent me a heart monitor so I can make sure I am working at my right heart rate. He gave me the tools and the support to get me started," she says.
"I am at the beginning of my journey. It's not easy, but I have a plan I can live with."
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