Meet Chico: A Top 12 Finalist in Biggest Loser

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- His real name is James Dennis, but just about everybody calls him Chico. He used to look just like Freddie Prinze from the hit TV show, "Chico and the Man."

But now, 25 years later, Chico is a Top 12 finalist on our local version of another hit TV show on NBC, "Biggest Loser."

Chico says he was thrilled to be selected, but he says, "Now what? Now comes the work."

He admits he's nervous because he knows totally changing his lifestyle won't be easy. But he has high blood pressure, his dad has had heart surgery, and Chico wants to avoid major health issues.

Chico is a native of St. Augustine. He's been married 23 years and he says his weight issues began during those tricky years when new brides cook really good food.

He's honest, though. He says it's his fault because he's the one who "picked up the fork."

He says the only exercise he gets now is walking across parking lots from his car to the restaurants he calls on for his sales job.

But Chico is ready to tackle the challenge. His son is in the National Guard and just finished basic training. He's pledging to help his dad work out.

Chico and the other 11 finalists will have personal trainers from Bailey's gyms and nutrition experts from Memorial Hospital to guide them.

The contest runs for 12 weeks and each week a person will be eliminated. The man or woman with the highest percentage of body weight lost will win the grand prize.

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