Fit to fat for experiment

A super-fit gym instructor who ballooned to 20-stone for an experiment admits he’s hooked on sugar and fattening food and is strggling to loose weight.

Former model Paul James, 32, has quit his usual healthy diet for fry-ups, kebabs and curries in an attempt to better understand the problems of obesity.

Faced with clients who struggle in the battle of the bulge on a daily basis, he wanted to put himself in their shoes by actually experiencing the physical effects of obesity.

Having always lived a healthy life himself, he wanted to empathise with his slightly overweight clients at Doherty’s Gym, who struggle to come to terms with a healthy diet and exercise programme. So he began a deliberate attempt to gain weight.

Now, nearly six months into the test, once trim PJ feels tired, lethargic, and with constant cravings for sweet things and high-calorie snacks; “The thing that shocked me most about this diet is its emotional effects,” said PJ, from Melbourne, Australia, who plans to start losing the weight again on July 1.

“I’ve become quite addicted to the kinds of fatty sugary food that is bad for you, and it’s going to be hard to get out of that habit. I feel tired all the time and quite down. I’m unhappy with how I look, and just don’t feel like doing anything. I used to go out in the evenings, but now I’m glad just to stay at home.’

PJ, who once weighed just 12.5 stone, started his experiment on New Year’s Day.

“I can really understand how hard it is,” he explained. “Once you start eating an unhealthy diet it is tough to break that cycle. I used to enjoy healthy food and eat a lot of lean meat, grilled fish and green leafy vegetables.

“But now I’ve got the taste for chocolate, biscuits and fizzy drinks. The energy these foods give you is short-lived, so your body is soon wanting more.”

Although PJ still conducts his training classes, he does no exercise himself, and understands better how difficult it is for his pupils to stick to their fitness regimes; “I feel sluggish all the time now I weigh more. I even have a nap for an hour or so between lessons during the day.”

The xperiment is being monitored very closely; “I’m being monitored by a doctor and my cholesterol and blood pressure levels have increased. It hasn’t been too dramatic which is good, but that may be because I was so fit and healthy before this. I wouldn’t want to stay on this food for too long for fear of long term effects.

“I look really different already and have a beer belly, and more weight on my legs, hips, face and even my back. Only my arms haven’t gained weight.

“When I look in the mirror it is quite shocking to see how I look now. It was only six months ago that I was toned, fit and healthy, and so the memory of it is still fresh. I’ve been sporty and active all my life, and so have never been anywhere near this size before. But it’s shown me how quickly you can get out of shape.”

“For the last couple of months, I haven’t been consciously trying to gain weight. I’m just eating what I feel like, and the pounds have still piled on.”

Friends and family have been supportive of PJ’s experiment and understand his reasons for wanting to relate to ordinary struggling dieters. “When I explain to people they appreciate why I’m doing this,” he said.

“I’m glad to have started a debate. I’ve now learned how easy it is to develop bad eating habits, and know how hard it will be to start a healthy eating plan. But I’m determined to lose this weight in the next six months, so people can see it really is possible.

“When I do start exercising again on July 1, I will build up a programme slowly, as I would with an actual client. I’ll do lots of cardiovascular work using weights, I won’t just be on the treadmill non-stop, I’ll make it interesting and adapt it as I gain strength and fitness again. I want people to realise if I can do it, they can too.”

To view source and images