At age 55, he wanted to be slimmer, to have more energy, to stop needing larger clothes, to feel better about himself and the way he looked. His professional pride was pushing him as well: he had brought a new associate into his practice, and he wanted to be able work as hard as his new colleague was willing to work.

For several years, Bob had been training three times a week with Titans owner Geoff DelGrosso, so he knew that exercise wasn't the issue. He turned instead to another health-care professional, Geoff's wife and Titans nutritionist Niki DelGrosso. From Niki, Bob gained a new understanding of his diet and how it affects his weight and, even more important, his fitness.

Niki explained how the foods Bob ate had to work together to improve his nutrition and his health, how he was wasting his caloric intake, and why he was always gaining more weight.

In one-on-one consultations, Niki began educating Bob on the right foods to eat and encouraging him to take responsibility for his personal fitness. Initially, they set Bob one goal: lose some weight. Once that was underway, they got specific: lose twenty pounds, then forty.

At that point, Bob agreed to try the cleanse diet (the Standard Process Purifiation Program), and it really jump-started his metabolism. His weight loss hit seventy-five pounds, plateaued briefly, and has now topped eighty pounds. At 203 pounds in mid-December, he expects (and plans) to reach 200 before the end of 2009. That accomplished, he looks forward to Niki's continued help in maintaining his healthy weight.

How does Dr. Rosenstein feel about all this? He's delighted, of course, and here's what he says about working with Niki and Geoff: "I recommend Niki to help anyone who is willing to put in the time and energy. You must be willing to set goals that are attainable, and go for them. Write your goals down and look at them often. Also remember: dieting is only half of the equation. Execise is the other half, and a trainer is a great way to stay the course. My physical condition has never been better" — and Niki and Geoff share the credit.