Paul M. Kimelman (born 1947) A

motivational speaker A motivational speaker is a speaker who makes speeches intended to motivate or inspire an audience. Such speakers may attempt to challenge or transform their audiences. The speech itself is popularly known as a pep talk. Motivational speakers ca ...

in the 1980s and early 1990s, he held the

Guinness World Record ''Guinness World Records'', known from its inception in 1955 until 1999 as ''The Guinness Book of Records'' and in previous United States editions as ''The Guinness Book of World Records'', is a reference book published annually, listing world ...

for the greatest weight-loss in the shortest amount of time and was featured on the book's cover in 1982. Kimelman traveled the world and spoke about his experience.

The record

A native of the Bronx, NY, Paul moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with his father, Olga Kimelman, in the early 1960s. As a 19-year-old, Paul reached his peak weight; more than 520 pounds (235 kg). Starting in 1967, as a New Year's resolution, he decided to start fasting to lose weight because he was tired of being ridiculed. In an interview posted in the

Boca Raton News The ''Boca Raton News'', owned by the South Florida Media Company, was the local community newspaper of Boca Raton, Florida. The paper began publication December 2, 1955, with a startup circulation of 1200, published by Robert and Lora Britt, and ...

on March 22, 1981, Paul made this statement on the resolution, "I quit eating right there. I fasted for as long as I could, then after that it was just clear soups,

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, skim milk, and salads." Paul shed a little over 355 pounds (161 kg) in 7 months, dropping from 487 to 130 pounds (221 to 59 kg). His achievement was recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records. Not only did he hold the Record for more than 12 years, he was also on the cover of the book in 1982.Every Guinness World Records book cover
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Book

*''Life in the Fat Lane: The Paul Kimelman Story'', with David Wolfson. Fat Lane Publications (1991)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kimelman, Paul Living people People from the Bronx 1946 births People from Pittsburgh American motivational speakers American autobiographers