Terps coach Ralph Friedgen down 105 pounds and counting
With summer football practice in full-swing, we thought we'd get on the bandwagon and bring a little sports to our health blog.
Maryland Terrapins football coach Ralph Friedgen -- a bear of a prescence on the sidelines -- is missing something as he heads into the season. It may not look like much from these photos, but Friedgen this week is 105 pounds lighter than he was in October, when he weighed 401 pounds (see photo, far left). Of course, the question always is, how did he do it?
The 62-year-old Friedgen decided against weight-loss surgery. He lost it the old-fashioned way, by eating less. But after years of losing and then gaining back weight, he had to find something he could stick to.
He has been using Medifast, a plan from an Owings Mills company that has participants eat small prepared meals or snacks every few hours. He's down to about 1,000 calories a day, swearing off the high-calorie offerings of the training table. His cholesterol has improved, the university reports, as has his blood sugar, which was in the pre-diabetic range. He wasn't even supposed to exercise until he had dropped 50 pounds, but now walks 45 minutes, three or four times a week.
Still tipping the scales near 300 pounds, the coach hopes to lose another 45 pounds. He'll need a whole new wardrobe of white collared shirts.
Photos/Associated Press
Comments
Let's hope that every pound lost stands for a consecutive victory from here on out. Even if he doesn't get to 150, I would gladly take 101 wins in a row.
Hey, preseason is when you are SUPPOSED to dream in hyperbole!
Posted by: Big Daddy (not Lipscomb) | August 13, 2009 9:43 AM
Way to go Coach. We're proud of you. Stick to it.
Posted by: Bob C | August 13, 2009 12:40 PM
The Fridge will match Victoria Bertinelli-get him a speedo.
Posted by: Bob C | August 13, 2009 1:47 PM
Good Job Coach!!
You are providing an inspiration to thousands!!
Thanks Coach!!
Posted by: Chris | August 13, 2009 9:52 PM
That adds up to 10 pounds a month over 10 months. He weighs in at nearly 300 lbs now. Rapid weight loss is as bad as rapid weight gain and weight gain in general. The man should take supplements to make sure he is not getting depleted or malnourished and he should exercise to build muscles. He should go see a doc and make sure his heart can sustain him through the weight loss and also to determine the type and intensity of exercise he can tolerate.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 19, 2009 5:13 PM
Congratulations to the coach. I know from first hand experience that Medifast works if you stick with it.
Posted by: Mike | August 24, 2009 3:33 PM
Great job Coach! Looking forward to a great TERP Football season! :)
Posted by: Terp Mom | September 13, 2009 2:28 PM