Community Corner

Son's Death Inspires Father's Weight Loss

Roger DiCarlo, 37, recently came in third place in the Valley's Biggest Loser competition. He says his weight loss was inspired by the death of his 16-month-old son in February.

After a Fallbrook resident kissed his 16-month-old son goodbye for the last time, he said hello to a healthy lifestyle.

Roger DiCarlo, 37, lost his son, Travis Gary DiCarlo, in February, to Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, or HLHS. Travis was born with the disorder, which meant he had half a heart. He underwent four open-heart surgeries, and died Feb. 19 following the last one.

"His memory will never be forgotten," said DiCarlo, who since losing his son decided to go on a weight-loss journey, losing 107 pounds to date.

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DiCarlo, a teacher and football and basketball coach at San Marcos High School, and his wife, Nicole, 34, a first-grade teacher at Romoland Elementary, embarked on the journey together. DiCarlo weighed 305 pounds when he started working out in July.

Saturday, he finished third place in the Valley's Biggest Loser contest. He was presented a $500 check in a ceremony held at the Murrieta Public Library. In first place was Oceanside resident Shannon McGilton, who lost 77 pounds and received a check for $2,500. In second place was Robin Graves, who got a check for $1,000.

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Among men competing, DiCarlo came in first place. During the 12-week weight-loss competition, put on by P4L Fitness of Temecula, DiCarlo lost 64 of the 107 pounds he has dropped since July.

DiCarlo said he cut out fast food, switching to lean meats and "lots of spinach." He also started a running plan. He gradually increased distances until he was able to run a 5K, which he ran on what would have been his son's second birthday, Oct. 23.

"My weight-loss journey was just another way to demonstrate a lesson that my son taught me. And that is not to take my health for granted," DiCarlo said.

"That is very cliche, but the truth is having a full heart and being healthy is taken for granted all too often."

Nicole lost 50 pounds.

"Our son had a bad heart, but we had good hearts and we were abusing them," he said. "We don't drink or do drugs; food was always our drug of choice."

While Travis was taken away from them, the couple has a 13-month-old daughter, Addison.

"Now we want to make sure we give our daughter the best life and that means keeping healthy."

Nicole is also part of nonprofit organization, Sisters by Heart. Ten moms affected by children with heart defects get together on a regular basis to support each other.

The DiCarlo's story has inspired many who know them.

"To lose a child and then to lose 100 pounds, he's such an inspiration," said Murrieta resident Randi Kelley, a family friend.

"I thought he was so amazing before the weight loss...just how they have dealt with the loss of their baby...but now to lose 100 pounds, he's beyond amazing!"


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