The Fat Project follows Calgary food addict's quest to become a triathlete

A 417-poundCalgary man has decided to lose weight in a very public way.

Paul McIntyre Royston, who calls himself a food addict,is documenting hisquest to become a triathlete.

"I have three kids and I've been strugglingsince I was eight-years-old," said the president and CEO of the Calgary Public Library Foundation.

"I'm finally finding it's really catching up to me."

McIntyreRoyston is alreadyblogging about his cravings, meal plans and how he kicked hisexcessive McDonald's breakfast habit.

"My mom was sick my whole life, so maybe food was a coping mechanism for me."

He's given himself three years to reach his athletic goal. During that time, he'll havealocal video crew following him around and will uploadphotos of all of his meals onInstagram.

"I want to set it up so I don't fail," he said. "The public accountability,frankly, is the number one for me and I think that will be the way to lead to success."

Since launching the project three weeks ago, McIntyre Royston has lost 15 pounds.

He says he has a long way to go, butdoesn't have a weight-lossgoal. Hejust wants to loseit in a healthy way and keep it off.

"I've lost over 50 poundsthree times."

McIntyreRoystonsays he did do onetriathalonin 2008 but said it was a "baby one."

"I finished second last, beating a pregnant woman."