Russian fitness trainer dies during extreme weight gain challenge

Nuyanzin was found dead on Nov. 25, suspected to have suffered a cardiac arrest due to sudden weight gain and metabolic stress.

His goal was to gain more than 22.7 kg before demonstrating his planned weight loss program to his students. To achieve this, he consumed around 10,000 calories a day, many times the recommended number for an adult.

For weeks, Nuyanzin documented his diet on social media. His meals included breakfasts of cakes and ice cream, lunches consisting of nearly a kilo of dumplings with mayonnaise, snacking on potato chips, and dinners of pizza and hamburgers.

In just one month, he gained nearly 13 kg, hitting the 100 kg mark by mid-November, Daily Mail reported.

Dmitry Nuyanzin during his weight gain challenge. Photos by Instagram/@dmitryfit

The primary purpose of the challenge was to promote his upcoming weight loss course, which promised to reward students with US$100 for losing at least 10% of their body weight before the new year.

"My WEIGHT LOSS COURSE is starting soon, where you can win cool prizes and, most importantly, build a beautiful body, learn how to eat and have fun!" Nuyanzin wrote on Instagram. "I’m going to be losing weight with my minions, so this will be twice as exciting!"

However, Nuyanzin’s body quickly suffered the consequences of the massive calorie intake. He was often tired, stopped exercising and planned to see a doctor.

He went to bed after dinner on Nov. 25 and never woke up.

Nuyanzin’s passing left friends, students, and followers in mourning. He was described as a passionate coach with over 10 years of experience, having trained in institutions like Orenburg Olympic Reserve School and the National Fitness University in St. Petersburg.

Experts warn that extreme dieting and sudden, drastic changes in body weight can cause serious damage to the heart and overall metabolism, according to People.