Tour de Pants: Jared's Weight Loss Hits 10 Years

ROBERT VOSBURGH

Everyone knows Jared Fogle. Ten years ago this spring, the 425-pound student at Indiana University began a diet that included daily visits to his local Subway restaurant. He had seen the store advertising low-fat meal options and decided to try them, creating a low-fat 6-inch sandwich for lunch, and an all-vegetable creation for dinner. He dropped 245 pounds, began exercising and went on to become Subway's 190-pound spokesman.

“Basically, his story has been, ‘Cut your calories and start exercising.’ We're just fortunate that we were part of the message,” said Kevin Kane, spokesman for the quick-service chain.

Subway offered nutritional information as early as 1997, and it wasn't until the next year that top management at the company learned about Jared's success.

As Subway's ambassador of health, Fogle was known for toting a knapsack holding an old pair of his size 60 jeans. Schoolkids in particular were awed when he paused during his talk on the importance of a healthful diet and pulled the pants out.

“People go on diets, lose weight and then gain it back,” said Kane. “Jared has been able to maintain 190 pounds for 10 years.”

What catches the average person's attention has been Jared's ability to move beyond the diet mentality and make an actual lifestyle change. To commemorate the anniversary, Fogle retired his fat pants in March and announced the formation of The Jared Foundation, a new $2 million, three-point plan to fight childhood obesity. The nonprofit organization will offer grants so public schools can implement wellness programs, seek to educate parents with obesity prevention plans and promote healthful eating habits for families dining out. There's also an extensive website, with invitations to join a “Get Fit” club, ask experts about obesity-related issues and learn about local events related to childhood health and wellness.

Times are also good for Subway. The chain, with more than 21,000 units in the United States, has been steadily increasing its retail presence through a close relationship with Wal-Mart Stores, and has overtaken McDonald's Corp. as the giant retailer's principal in-store foodservice venue. Industry observers believe healthful living motivated Wal-Mart to partner with Subway — a pairing that fits better with the retailer's internal sustainability programs and promotion of greener consumer products.