Tim's £12k weight-loss challenge

Tim Potter, a member of Carrick Elim Pentecostal Church, is undertaking the gruelling weight-loss challenge as part of the church’s fundraising drive, which hopes to raise a whopping 12,000 for its charity, Hope of Christ India.

When he started the challenge five weeks ago, the 41-year-old from Whiteabbey weighed in at just under 22 stone. But he is already a stone-and-a-half lighter after a strict regime of dieting and high-intensity exercise.

To help him achieve his target weight of 15 stone by August, 2011, Euphoria Fitness Club has provided Tim with complete use of its facilities, as well as a team of personal trainers to help him keep his eye on the prize.

Ryan Clarke, one of the owners of Euphoria, said the he was glad to be part of such a good cause.

He added: “We are always trying to do our bit for the community, and this seemed like a great way to help out. We have a team four people working with Tim regularly, and at the minute we are focusing on cardio exercises to help Tim get his fitness level back up. We don’t want him to go too mad too soon, but he is working out at least three times a week, which is a good start. The team is also providing Tim with some advice about healthy eating.”

But Tim admitted that he found the new diet a struggle to begin with - mainly because he works part time in McDonalds. “I get a free reign to eat whatever I want during my shift at McDonalds, which is not ideal for doing this challenge,” he added. “It takes a lot of self control, and I usually just have a Big Mac in the evening if I am working, as it is probably one of the healthiest options on the menu.

“In the morning I would eat something high in carbohydrates like porridge, then white meat such as fish or chicken in the afternoon. Theses are full of protein, which helps repair my body after a hard workout.”

When he is not slogging his guts out in the gym or flipping burgers in the fast food restaurant, Tim helps out as a lifeskills teacher at a number of local primary schools. Various Carrick businesses have already lent their support to Tim through sponsorship, and a range of other fundraising events will be taking place to help the church reach its 12,000 goal.

Pastor of Carrick Elim, Jonathan Redmond said: “We set up the Hope of Christ India in 2005, and have just finished building a medical clinic in the city of Coimbatore at the cost of 50,000. The project is based in a little church in a place called Kandel, and unfortunately due to heavy rain, the roof of the building has fallen in and the building is in a very poor condition.

“The money we hope to raise through Tim’s weight-loss challenge and other events will go towards carrying out essential repairs to that church to allow the project to continue.”

Anyone who would like to donate to the cause can do so through Carrick Elim Church, 1 Northlands, Carrickfergus.