A FORMER baker who once munched his way through 10,000 calories a day is taking on a 'Fatman to Ironman' challenge after shedding seven stone.
Paul Corey from Kildress, Co Tyrone is tackling a 26-mile marathon, 112-mile cycle and 2.4 mile swim in the gruelling 17-hour event in Wales in September.
The Ironman competition will be the toughest test yet of the 24-year-old's fitness and endurance since he ditched his job - "I was continually eating the buns" - for a new career in sales began a health drive.
It took five years for the full transformation to be complete, but Paul now has seven world marathons under his (down-sized) belt and is spends 33 hours per week in training.
Even a holiday to Las Vegas this month was swapped for daily cycles, runs and swims, but the athlete is hoping all the hard work will pay off - not only for him, but also for the Scope charity which he is supporting.
"The Ironman event in Tenby, south Wales is not only a personal challenge for me, but I hope to raise a few thousand pounds for charity as well," he said.
"I wanted to make this count, and I think the work Scope do with disabled people is brilliant.
"Our campaign is called 'Fatman to Ironman' as I used to be morbidly obese, weighing in at 19 stone. I am pleased to say I am now 12 stone and compete in marathons for fun."
It was an unflattering photograph on social media which proved the catalyst for the turnaround.
"Strangely, I didn't notice how big I actually was until I saw a picture on Facebook that I was tagged in," he said.
"I took one look at it and thought, 'That's the end of that'.
"The next day I cut out the buns completely and a few weeks later decided to leave the job as well. I was a bit chubby as a child but it was only when I started to work as a baker that the weight really piled on.
"I was working crazy hours which didn't help, but I must have been getting through about 10,000 calories on a daily basis. I think I continually ate for about two years solidly and just sat on the settee playing X Box.
"Today I am happier, healthier and fitter and I hope my story can motivate others to get off the settee and change their lives too."
His motivation has also been boosted by younger brother Gavin, a member of the Irish triathlon team who finished second in his age group in the New York marathon two years ago.
"Seeing Gavin work hard and win races has definitely helped keep me focused," Paul said.
"And, instead of having to buy a whole new wardrobe when I lost the weight, it was handy stealing some of his clothes."
Anyone who would like to help in Paul's fundraising effort for Scope can make a donation at Virginmoneygiving.com/fatman2ironman
