IT’S the time of the year when most people are making new year’s resolutions to eat more healthily.

    But British competitive eater Adam Moran started the year with a different idea altogether, wolfing down a five-pound (2.26-kilogram) cheese steak sandwich and a pound of chocolate ice cream in under 40 minutes.

    Moran, 30, known as “Beard Meets Food,” from Leeds, shocked other diners when he threw his hands in the air to celebrate his victory.

    He has tackled challenges all over the country, including a nine-pound pizza and a 20-pound Christmas dinner this month alone, but described the challenge as one of his toughest to date.

    He said, “There was just so much meat and, although if I had more time it might have been easier, because I had to finish within 40 minutes it was extremely difficult. Adding a jug of root beer makes it even harder.

    “When I first started out competitive eating, there were challenges that I considered to be quite difficult, but having done this one I reckon I could go back and finish them, easy. This challenge was a real gut buster.”

    Moran, who works out for two hours a day in the gym just to burn off his massive meals, is also the Yorkshire Purring Eating World Champion and Big Mac British Record holder.

    But Moran very nearly failed his most recent challenge when he completed the dish, called “Beard’s Got Beef,” with only three seconds to spare.

    Moran manages to hold down a part-time job as retail stockbroker while also managing his blog and working out in order to burn off the calorific meals.

    If that wasn’t enough, Moran has also tuned his diet to ensure that his stomach stretches the maximum amount.

    And it was Moran’s girlfriend of four years, Lindsey Wood, 25, who suggested that he take on competitive eating in the first place.

    Moran said, “I started competitive eating about a year ago, after my girlfriend Lindsey suggested that I give it a go.

    “She is really tiny and doesn’t eat a huge amount so I think she finds it quite fun to see me getting through so much.

    “It hasn’t impacted my relationship at all, it was something that she suggested I do, after all.”(SD-Agencies)