EVEN though businessman Paul Crook knew all about teaching diet and body sculpture he let himself go to seed.
Despite helping others keep in shape the 32-years-old father-of-three was a fat schoolboy who grew into an obese 21-years-old weighing over 22 stones.
On coming of age he dieted to half that size but within a couple of years all the excessive baggage was back, and more.
But the birth of first son, Samson, six years ago and encouragement from wife, Melanie, forced him to change his ways.
Since leaving school Paul has run the sports nutrition company Powerbeck Sports, from a unit at Victoria Street, Leigh. Now he is now well-toned and has a body builders' muscular physique, the way he plans to stay.
At the age of eight Paul weighed eight stones and as he grew older his weight was always higher than his age.
At Leigh CE High he suffered the taunts of fellow pupils and catcalls in the streets.
He said: "I was always conscious that I was overweight but I couldn't be bothered.
"Dinner for me used to be a double meal from the chippy, two bottles of milk and a full loaf. Then I'd have two teas.
"Sunday was best I used to go to relatives and friends and shovel down four dinners -- with bread.
"I also ate in secret, until I realised I had a compulsive eating disorder.
"From leaving school I was involved in the company and was teaching people how to diet and slim but I wasn't doing it myself, I wasn't a very good example.
"I went on a starvation diet at 21 and was slim when I married Melanie, but by the age of 25 I had put it all back, which was stupid. I'd always been a body builder but I got to the stage at which my health started to suffer. If I walked upstairs I was out of breath.
"It was when Samson was born that I came to my senses after Melanie faced me with the ultimatum "slim or die". I wanted to be around to see my children grow up so I started following my own teaching methods.
"I started getting up at 6am and doing a five mile walk along Bickershaw Lane to set my metabolic rate for the day.
"I changed my eating habits and re-educated myself. I now eat five to seven small meals a day which means the body is never hungry but never quite full.
"I eat every two and a half hours, things like chicken and veg and fish and rice and drink a lot of my company's protein drinks -- and use the natural fat burning capsule I believe in, Citrimax.
"I'm fortunate in that Melanie is a full time mum of Samson, Solomon, 4, and new born Isabella, and my meals are put on the table.
"Now I couldn't eat a three course meal all at once to save my life.
"I started to develop a muscular body two years ago and train three times a day, moring and evening and every lunchtime at Leigh's FY Gym.
"However, I still like a drink and have a full family life as well as enjoying training. I now have the best of both worlds and I intend to keep it that way for a long time.
"Now I can show people what can be done. Having been obese myself It makes me feel stronger to have succeeded in achieving my goal. The secret is keeping a positive mental attitude.
"At 5ft 8in I was once two people in one now I am happier, healthier and hoping to help others achieve the dream shape they desire."
Paul's company sponsors the current British heavyweight bodybuilding champion, Karl Tierney.
If anyone is interested in Paul's method of creating a new body they can contact him at Powerbeck on 01942 269677.
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