siuDE.com

Ryan Giesel wants to gain four pounds in one day.

Giesel, a freshman from Elmhurst majoring in kinesiology, has made international news with a Facebook group promising he would eat all 12 McDonalds value meals in one sitting if 100,000 people joined.

Giesel said he and Mark Gronek, a freshman from Elmhurst studying business, created the group as a joke. However, as word of their plan spread, the friends developed a plan to raise money for charity.

According to the terms stated in the group's information, Giesel would not be able to get up once he has started eating but will be able to drink at his discretion.

If he completes his mission, Giesel would consume at least 10,840 calories and 518 grams of fat, not including any calories or fat from the ketchup he is likely to use.

Radio station Kelly 95.3 FM in California was one of the media outlets that took notice of Giesel's quest.

"He would have to run 82 miles at a pace of 1 mile in eight minutes or go on a 90-hour lovemaking marathon (almost four straight days) to burn off all of the fat," said the station's Web site.

John Rich, a graduate assistant athletic trainer, said it could be physically impossible for Giesel to finish all 12 meals. Giesel probably would not experience long-term health problems, but the amount of fat and calories would more than likely leave him feeling sick for the next few days, Rich said.

Its recent membership explosion over the past week could make Giesel's challenge a reality. Giesel said membership raised more than 10,000 members in the past four days. The group had 29,366 members as of 5:47 p.m. Monday. At 10 p.m., there were 30,194 members. He said he looked forward to the feast, hoping it would happen within the next few months.

The wall on Giesel's group is littered with people wishing him luck, as well as those speaking negatively of his intentions. But the criticism doesn't faze Giesel, who said he is confident in himself.

He said he practiced expanding his stomach and had already devoured six of the meals at one time.

Giesel said the entire event would be recorded and posted on the Internet, but the footage could appear on television as well. Giesel said he received messages daily from the media, the first of which came from ABC's "Good Morning America."

However, Gronek and Giesel have turned their idea into more than just a Facebook prank. They said a Web site, http://www.12mealsorbust.com, should be up and running within the week. It would include a blog and media page, as well as a section where people or businesses would be able to pledge money for each meal Giesel eats. Giesel said he would donate the money to the Ronald McDonald Charity House.

He said McDonald's management would consider sponsoring him if the group grew.

When asked what he hoped to get out of his mission, Giesel remained humble.

"A stomachache, I guess," he said.

Lindsey Smith can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 255 or lgsmith@siu.edu.

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