Published: Monday, July 18, 2011
Diet, exercise and willpower help Marysville cop shed 160 pounds
-
Cindy Vasconi
Vasconi, shown here in 2006 with the Silvertips mascot, weighed 408 pounds at his heaviest. He now weighs 248 pounds.
-
Dan Bates / The Herald
A slimmed-down Dave Vasconi (center) enforces school zone speeds with canine officers Stacey Dreyer (left) and Wallace Forslof.
Dave Vasconi, a Marysville police officer, lost so much weight people don't recognize him.
On a recent police call, a local man asked Vasconi where the big, heavy cop disappeared to.
"Sir, that's me," Vasconi said.
During nearly 25 years in law enforcement, he has chased bad guys, been involved in shootings and high-speed pursuits. Once, he saved a woman who had jumped from a third-story window, catching her in the air.
He also gained 175 pounds, reaching a tipping point at 408 pounds.
"Oh my god, there's no way I weigh that much," he remembers thinking.
That was December 2007. Today, the cop weighs in at 248. He subtracted 160 pounds through diet and exercise. He trimmed 18 inches off his waistline.
The final part of his three-year weight loss journey was surgery in April. He had a tummy tuck, technically known as an extended abdominoplasty. It's plastic surgery to remove the "spare tire" that used to hang around his waist.
"It was life altering, in a fantastic way," Vasconi, 46, said.
He gained the weight eating pizza, cake, cookies and more than a few doughnuts.
Today, he uses determination and will power to resist calorie-laden temptations.
It's not that he doesn't like the sweet treats.
"I just love being fit and not obese more," he said.
Vasconi started his career in law enforcement in 1988 as a reserve deputy for the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office.
In 1995, Marysville hired Vasconi as a community service officer, a position he still holds 15 years later.
Police are always on the go, working fast and furious, Marysville Police Cmdr. Robb Lamoureaux said.
"This environment makes it difficult to establish healthy eating habits," Lamoureaux said. "You often grab something quick and wolf it down."
Vasconi has been able to establish better eating habits and stick to them.
"We are very happy for Dave and certainly proud of him," the commander said. "More than that he has definitely inspired many department members to work toward losing weight and becoming healthier and more fit."
Vasconi's enthusiasm has spread to the community as well. He encouraged a 16-year-old boy to lose weight and often talks with people he meets about getting fit. The officer has even written a book chronicling his weight loss. (He's looking for a publisher.)
His enthusiasm is shared at home, too. Cindy, his wife of 18 years, often joins him on brisk walks.
Vasconi's regimen includes daily interval training, weight lifting and a strict diet of low-fat protein, low-carbohydrates, very little refined sugar and low sodium.
"You'd be surprised what you can do with ground turkey," he said.
Each Sunday, he barbecues turkey burgers and boneless chicken breasts. He eats three square meals a day with plenty of healthy snacks in between.
That makes it easier to say no to sugary snacks around the police department.
He looks like a different man now.
People ask him if he had bariatric surgery.
He shakes his head.
"Anyone can do this," he said. "I did this the old-fashioned way: hard work."
Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3447; jholtz@heraldnet.com.
Dave Vasconi's no bun hot grilled turkey burgers
Fresh ground turkey, lean
Diced sweet onion, to taste
Diced Jalapeno peppers, to taste
Worcestershire sauce
Extra virgin olive oil
Johnny's seasoning
In a no stick skillet on medium heat with a dash of olive oil, saute the onion and peppers until tender. Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce and seasoning into the turkey. Mix well. Add cooked vegetables. Make patties (about a cup, or 8 ounces each). Grill or broil until done.
Each patty is about 300 calories, very lean, and virtually carb free. Vasconi recommends serving with a salad or steamed vegetables.
On a recent police call, a local man asked Vasconi where the big, heavy cop disappeared to.
"Sir, that's me," Vasconi said.
During nearly 25 years in law enforcement, he has chased bad guys, been involved in shootings and high-speed pursuits. Once, he saved a woman who had jumped from a third-story window, catching her in the air.
He also gained 175 pounds, reaching a tipping point at 408 pounds.
"Oh my god, there's no way I weigh that much," he remembers thinking.
That was December 2007. Today, the cop weighs in at 248. He subtracted 160 pounds through diet and exercise. He trimmed 18 inches off his waistline.
The final part of his three-year weight loss journey was surgery in April. He had a tummy tuck, technically known as an extended abdominoplasty. It's plastic surgery to remove the "spare tire" that used to hang around his waist.
"It was life altering, in a fantastic way," Vasconi, 46, said.
He gained the weight eating pizza, cake, cookies and more than a few doughnuts.
Today, he uses determination and will power to resist calorie-laden temptations.
It's not that he doesn't like the sweet treats.
"I just love being fit and not obese more," he said.
Vasconi started his career in law enforcement in 1988 as a reserve deputy for the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office.
In 1995, Marysville hired Vasconi as a community service officer, a position he still holds 15 years later.
Police are always on the go, working fast and furious, Marysville Police Cmdr. Robb Lamoureaux said.
"This environment makes it difficult to establish healthy eating habits," Lamoureaux said. "You often grab something quick and wolf it down."
Vasconi has been able to establish better eating habits and stick to them.
"We are very happy for Dave and certainly proud of him," the commander said. "More than that he has definitely inspired many department members to work toward losing weight and becoming healthier and more fit."
Vasconi's enthusiasm has spread to the community as well. He encouraged a 16-year-old boy to lose weight and often talks with people he meets about getting fit. The officer has even written a book chronicling his weight loss. (He's looking for a publisher.)
His enthusiasm is shared at home, too. Cindy, his wife of 18 years, often joins him on brisk walks.
Vasconi's regimen includes daily interval training, weight lifting and a strict diet of low-fat protein, low-carbohydrates, very little refined sugar and low sodium.
"You'd be surprised what you can do with ground turkey," he said.
Each Sunday, he barbecues turkey burgers and boneless chicken breasts. He eats three square meals a day with plenty of healthy snacks in between.
That makes it easier to say no to sugary snacks around the police department.
He looks like a different man now.
People ask him if he had bariatric surgery.
He shakes his head.
"Anyone can do this," he said. "I did this the old-fashioned way: hard work."
Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3447; jholtz@heraldnet.com.
Dave Vasconi's no bun hot grilled turkey burgers
Fresh ground turkey, lean
Diced sweet onion, to taste
Diced Jalapeno peppers, to taste
Worcestershire sauce
Extra virgin olive oil
Johnny's seasoning
In a no stick skillet on medium heat with a dash of olive oil, saute the onion and peppers until tender. Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce and seasoning into the turkey. Mix well. Add cooked vegetables. Make patties (about a cup, or 8 ounces each). Grill or broil until done.
Each patty is about 300 calories, very lean, and virtually carb free. Vasconi recommends serving with a salad or steamed vegetables.
Comments
(