For 114 days, Wanaka plumber and charity runner Jup Brown (42) lived almost exclusively on junk food, yet still managed to drop nearly 13kg.
His weight loss was the result of running more than 5500km from one coast of the United States to the other to raise money for children's fitness charity the 100 Mile Club.
He completed the feat at the weekend, after months fuelled by fast food, chocolate milk, cola, iced coffee, potato chips, chocolate, muffins and other calorie-laden foods.
''Not good, but it worked.''
Diving into the Atlantic Ocean after running the Boston Marathon course with friends - including Californian Patrick Sweeney, who also ran the width of the US - marked the end of the epic run from Huntington Beach, California.
He followed it with dinner out and a few beers.
A now bushy-bearded Mr Brown said it was an ''incredible feeling'' to reach the finishing point, where he tipped water collected from the Pacific Ocean at the start of his journey into the Atlantic Ocean, after carrying it the whole way.
''I really had to work hard for this one, push myself like never before. Find a new stronger Jup Brown ... even I didn't know he was in there.''
Among the difficulties he faced were five days of snow and freezing rain in Texas in early March and a bad outbreak of blisters after running through the night in a downpour.
''They were all over the balls of my feet, between my toes and ankles ... I had to spend 14 to 18 hours a day walking to make the miles I needed.''
Splitting from the ''Race Across the USA'' group he was originally with - due to dissatisfaction with the event's management - also had its challenges.
He was joined initially by Mr Sweeney, who then pushed on so Mr Brown could run at his own pace.
Then, about a month ago, Mr Brown set himself the huge task of catching up to Mr Sweeney again, who by that stage was about 225km ahead, and completing the journey with him.
''I found that if I went no less than 40 miles a day I could make it so that I could finish with Pat. I thought to myself `I reckon I can do that' ... and I had so much support coming in from New Zealand and all over the world.''
That support, coupled with a newfound mental strength, helped him achieve his goal.
''I can't thank everyone enough and this time I really needed it.''
Mr Brown is already considering his next adventure, possibly through the South Pacific islands, but first he plans to learn more about photography, filming and writing to help communicate to others ''how much fun it is to do something like this''.
In the short term though, his priority is rest.
''I pushed myself past my limits and found new ones, so I just need to chill for a bit.''
Mr Brown has raised more than $8000 for childhood fitness so far.
Further donations can be made on his website www.jupbrown.com.
Fast facts
• Total distance: 5510.28km
• Days: 100 on the run, 14 rest days
• US states passed through: 15
• Running shoes used: Seven pairs
• Weight lost: 12.7kg
• Money raised: $8000+ to date
• Previous fundraising challenges: 2011, ran the length of New Zealand, raised $15,000 for Stroke Foundation; 2012, ran the length of New Zealand and raised $25,000 for tsunami-devastated regions; 2014, fundraising marathon on a treadmill
