Kids Health Notes

Jared Fogle of Subway fame talks to Kids Health Notes, part 2

by Grace on May 20th, 2008

Yesterday I blogged about the weight-loss success story of JARED FOGLE, known to many as the “Subway guy”.

Jared told me about his struggles with weight problems since barely a teenager, and ballooning to 425 lbs. in college. Jared tried to find many other means of gaining his health back, when suddenly, Subway was there at the right place and the right time, literally. In college, his apartment was right across the streets from a Subway restaurant and one day, he saw an ad for Subway’s “7 under 6″ - (grams of fat) and “the stars had sort of aligned for” him.

Believe it or not, his inspiring story is only just starting. After ten years of keeping the weight off successfully, in 2008, Jared Fogle will be officially retiring his size-60 pants in his “Tour de Pants” - an awareness campaign with Subway and the Jared Foundation to help eliminate childhood obesity.

Here is the second part of that phone interview.

KIDS HEALTH: So, now, these days you are always traveling because of the Jared Foundation and Subway’s “Tour de Pants”. How do you keep the weight off?

Jared Fogle: You know I still eat Subway a couple days a week. I have just learned to eat in moderation I guess more then anything and I try to exercise when I can, although some days it is easier then others.

KIDS HEALTH: Do you still have temptations of over eating?

Jared: Oh yeah. Definitely. I think it is definitely in my blood still. You know it is just something I have to make sure I keep a grasp on and realize that that is probably going to be there forever like that. But hey that is life. I think the biggest as far as keeping weight off is that you have to look at it as it is a constant cycle. Losing the weight is phase one but then keeping it off is phase 2, 3, 4,5,6 all the way up you know. So, I think you really have to approach it like that and realizing that the goal is not losing the weight. The goal is definitely keeping the weight off and that is a continuous goal.

KIDS HEALTH: So, tell me more about the Jared foundation.

Jared: Well, it is a non-profit group that I created a couple years ago in Indiana initially to combat childhood obesity and to help literally do something about childhood obesity and develop programs and disperse grant money to various programs. This year, through my 10 year anniversary me and my friends at Subway, we are going to be able to launch a big campaign coming up and encourage people to donate to the foundation over this year period. Our goal is to hopefully raise a million dollars by the end of the year and a big chunk of the money is going back to schools across the country in the form of grant money to develop wellness programs for their own schools. What we are looking for is some creative ideas. So, hopefully through all these grant applications we will have a chance to see some really neat ideas and some productive ideas and ideas that actually work. Something that really do encourage kids and make if fun for them.

KIDS HEALTH: And these are for the schools to come up with, right? The schools have to come up with these programs.

Jared: This is one part of the foundation. The other part we are working on this section called “Parents in the Know” which is just trying to really educate parents. Part of the web site will be devoted to parents allowing them to really find out more on what they can do for their own kids. I think education is critical for everybody, not just the kids but for the parents, for teachers, for everybody involved in a kid’s life. Just knowing what is healthy, what is not so healthy… We are also developing a section of the web site where families can go to get information on how to go out to pick good choices when you are going out to eat, whether it is breakfast lunch or dinner. How do families make good choices where it can be an enjoyable experience. Obviously eating out as a family is great to spend time together. It is nice, no one has to cook that way but at the same time if you are not careful you can end up eating the wrong kinds of food very easily and way too much of it. So, we are going to really try to have a section dedicated to providing information on some advice for going out to dinner and what not as a family.

KIDS HEALTH: Now, many overweight kids are in the lower socio-economic bracket, where a $1 burger is a lot cheaper and bigger than a healthier meal. And these kids have no online access. Is there a place for them at the Jared Foundation?

Jared: Well I think so. This day and age you have to find a way to get to a computer, whether it is at a library, or at a school. I mean you may not have a computer in your own home but I think most people can find a way to get to a computer through a pop up service building of some sort. This is what we are focusing on so we can make the biggest, do the most good and reach the most people through the web.

KIDS HEALTH: Okay. Well thank you so much again, Jared. You are certainly an inspiration to us and to everyone. And it’s not just even people who are trying to loose weight but also to keeping the weight off and staying healthy.

Jared: Absolutely. It is a constant battle but something that we all need to address.

KIDS HEALTH: I hope to get in touch with you again and follow you through the Jared foundation. I will certainly be on the look out this year.

Jared: Absolutely. I appreciate it very much. Thank you so much.

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Let me just tell you how nice it was to talk to Jared Fogle. He had a really friendly voice that made one want to keep talking to him. Before this interview recorded, I had a lighthearted conversation with Jared and I asked him two questions -

Kids Health: So… Do you still play video games?

Jared: (Laughter) Yeah. Not very often now because I travel a lot. But I also think the kids these days will beat me!

Kids Health: (Laughter) Well, like I said you’re an inspiration. If not with gaming, I think you would definitely give the winner of the Biggest Loser a run for his money!

Jared: (Laughter) Thanks. I try to be an inspiration. (Laughter)

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POSTED IN: Children's Health, Common childhood illnesses, Diseases and Medical Conditions, Family and Home, Nutrition and Recipes