Triathlon: From triple cheeseburgers to IRONMAN

Daniel Frost turned his life around with triathlon. Photo / Supplied

It is hard to believe that Kellogg's IRONMAN 70.3 Taupo entrant Daniel Frost is the same man who eight years ago was denied life insurance because of his excessive weight.

But after taking up triathlon and shedding 45kg in weight, the man who used to eat food "like a crazy idiot" is transformed and relishing the prospect of completing his latest event over the IRONMAN 70.3 distance on Saturday in Taupo.

Weighing 140kg at the time it took the jolt for the insurance company to overhaul his lifestyle. Daniel cut back on his portion sizes to restrict his food intake and sought to carry out regular exercise.

"Fascinated" by triathlon from a young age, the Hamilton-based electrician, under encouragement from his friend and IRONMAN World Championship competitor, Bevan Littler, opted to enter his first triathlon event in Whangamata in early 2009. He has not looked back.

"I loved it," he says of his first triathlon experience - a 300m swim, 9km bike and 3km run. "As soon as I finished I wanted to do another one."

Hooked by the triathlon he continued to compete in more events. Last year he made his maiden appearance at the Kellogg's IRONMAN 70.3 Taupo completing the distance in 7:41. However on Saturday he is hoping for a sub seven-hour time after making significant improvements in the swim.

"I have never really enjoyed swimming in a bunch and last year the swim leg took me about an hour," explains Daniel, 36. "But I was recently timed at 42 minutes for the 1.9km distance, so my swim has improved immensely. Also last year I didn't back myself on the run, so I have something to prove to myself this year."

Today weighing in at 95kg, Daniel is a shadow of the man he used to be. So how does his current life compare to his previous life?

"Today my Friday nights are often a 2km swim followed by a run around the lake. Years ago by the same time on a Friday night, I would be well into a box of beer. How did my life become so sad!"

More than 1200 competitors from over 30 nations will take part.