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A diet of accident but success: Gorge, but only before 5 p.m.

By ERNEST HOOPER
Published May 17, 2006

These days, people are seeing less of longtime radio personality Tedd Webb, and that's a good thing.

Webb, one of the co-hosts of AM Tampa Bay on WFLA-AM 970, said he has lost 65 pounds since he made one simple change: He stopped eating after 5 p.m.

In an effort to have dinner with his sons before his ex-wife picks them up, Webb started cooking afterschool meals and eating dinner early. One day, he tried on one of his suits and noticed that the pants were way too big.

"I thought the cleaners had given me the wrong suit, so I pulled out another suit. Same thing," Webb said as he tugged at his loose waistband.

At first, Webb was alarmed by the weight loss and went to get a checkup. The doctor, however, said his blood pressure was fine, his cholesterol was 105 and he had no indications of illness.

Webb was simply losing weight. Now he is complementing his accidental diet by drinking only green tea after 5 p.m.

"I still eat whatever I want to eat," Webb said. "Pasta, steak, whatever. I just don't eat after 5 p.m.

"Thank God my ex-wife kept those old suits I told her to give to Goodwill."

Here's another interesting diet item: WTVT-Ch. 13 health reporter Joette Giovinco filed a report last week that said diet sodas actually may cause people to gain weight.

Dr. Giovinco, who has made the transition from the medical field to broadcasting, focused on Rabbi Marc Sack of Congregation Rodeph Sholom, who was struggling to lose weight even though he was exercising and limiting sweets.

Food coach Jennifer Broder Katz told Sack to stop drinking diet sodas, and the result was a loss of 25 pounds.

There is uncertainty over the possible relationship between diet sodas and weight gain, but Giovinco's report suggested several theories, including one that artificial sweeteners may be tricking the brain into holding onto fat.

It's also possible that people subconsciously think they can eat more because they are drinking diet soda.

I'm thinking of cutting back on diet soda, but my problem is that some mornings I need the caffeine. While some people swear by Starbucks coffee, I'm convinced that the best morning boost comes from a rich and bold cup of McDonald's Diet Coke.

And don't even get me started on Diet Mountain Dew.

I got a chance to speak with Webb and Giovinco last week during the American Association of Kidney Patients' annual fundraising luncheon at Spaghetti Warehouse.

We were among the celebrity servers for the luncheon, but the heroes were the actual servers who gave up their tips for the association.

The event raised more than $4,500, and organizers Bill and Martha Minahan said the money will be used to help several patients attend the association's national convention in Orlando this year.

Bill Minahan, the spirited former Jesuit coach and athletic director, has supported the group since he received a kidney transplant 20 years ago.

In case you're wondering, no, Spaghetti Warehouse is not exactly the best place to share dieting tips. Nevertheless, I think I learned something.

That's all I'm saying.

Ernest Hooper can be reached at hooper@sptimes.com or 813 226-3406 .

[Last modified May 17, 2006, 07:12:54]