Man packs on pounds to understand obese

Melbourne -- An Australian fitness trainer and ex-model said he is sticking to his pledge to gain more than 100 pounds to better understand overweight clients.

Paul James, 32, who started the year at 175 pounds, said he has made it to 217 pounds with the aim of reaching 280 pounds, The Sun reported Wednesday.

James, who has been feeding his face with kebabs, pasta, cream sauces and chocolate, said he will attempt to keep his weight constant at 280 pounds until June and then attempt to lose the extra weight by early October.

"It was difficult to relate to overweight gym members so I'm experiencing life as an overweight person," James said.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.