Area dentist uses exercise, diet to turn his life around
Aug. 18, 2003

LINDA MURPHY
Observer-Dispatch

Pediatric dentist Norman J. Cognetto describes himself as the kid who was always overweight.

He didn't play sports (except for some casual hockey as a boy) and failed at every diet he ever tried. His wife Valerie dutifully cooked the required menu for each new diet and prodded him to exercise.

"I'd encourage him to take a walk and he would say 'But I walked yesterday.' It was the big joke," Valerie, 39, said from the kitchen of their New Hartford home.

In early 2000, Norman's five feet, eleven inch frame carried 250 pounds and he was miserable. He always had a dream -- which he thought was unattainable -- of some day running a marathon.

Today, Cognetto, 37, weighs around 190 pounds and has not only run a marathon, but completed an entire Ironman competition.

On July 27, Cognetto finished the USA Ironman Triathalon in Lake Placid, an event that includes a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run. He finished in the middle of the pack in 13 hours, 31 minutes and 24 seconds.

In his typically modest manner, Cognetto said of his accomplishment: "Not bad for a fat man."

Cognetto's success began with the Atkins Diet.

"I bought the book and read it cover to cover. I saw myself in it. And with my medical background, it made sense to me," Cognetto said.

Atkins emphasizes a diet rich in protein and vegetables, with little to no carbohydrates. Cognetto said the diet suited him well, helping him to shed pounds and keep his energy level stable.

Melissa Vasco, group fitness instructor and general manager of The Fitness Mill, said there are many philosophies on weight loss. What works for one person may not work for another.

"If I go on a low carb diet, I'm just miserable. I'm tired and I don't lose weight. What works for me is decreasing fat," Vasco said. "Go with what works for your body."

But universally, diet absolutely has to go along with exercise, Vasco said.

"People can work out five times a week and then go and eat wings and pizza and McDonald's. They won't see a decrease in weight," Vasco said.

Valerie Cognetto is happy for her husband.

"I know how much it bothered Norm that he couldn't control those cravings, and how sad he was about his weight. The Atkins thing and the exercise turned his life around. The whole family is so much happier," she said.

Once Cognetto started following the Atkins diet, he quickly dropped 20 or 30 pounds. Meanwhile, he was trying to walk two or three times a week.

"I always admired the people who did the Ride for Missing Children. So when my wife invited me to do the ride, I jumped at the chance," he said.

When Cognetto started his bike training, he couldn't make it up Valley View Road without stopping to walk seven or eight times. Now he rides from his home to Cooperstown or a cottage his family rented in the Adirondacks as a training ride.

Whereas he admired those who did the Ride, Cognetto said he was in awe of Boilermaker runners.

"Right after I did the Ride for Missing Children, I said I'm going to train for the Boilermaker."

Cognetto finished the 2000 Boilermaker in a respectable time.

Since then, Cognetto has been running with the Utica Roadrunners and bicycling with the Mohawk Valley Bicycling Club.

While training for the triathalon, Cognetto "shoe-horned" workouts into his busy schedule.

He would swim one morning a week, run 12 miles one day, run four to six miles two days and take a couple long, grueling bike rides a week.

Cognetto put in the work, but he credits his success to the support of his family and friends.

"One day in the winter I had to go for a long run, but was really not motivated. The snow was wet and blowing sideways. Val got on her mountain bike and rode behind me the whole way," Cognetto said.

Many of the friends who rode with Cognetto during his months of training surprised him by showing up for the Lake Placid triathalon.

"I was extremely humbled and choked up for three days. Those are real friends, people who take the time out to come up and support me. The epitome of the last five years was all these people."

NORMAN J. COGNETTO

• Profession: Pediatric Dentist in Utica
• Family: Wife Valerie, sons Nick, 11 and Christian, 7. They live in New Hartford.
• Achievement: Completed the USA Ironman Triathalon in Lake Placid in 13 hours, 31 minutes, 24 seconds.

His peak training regimen for competition:

• One long run (about 12 miles) a week.
• One or two four to six mile runs.
• Swim one morning a week.
• At least one long, tough bike ride.