Cover image via Sina
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For most people, weight loss involves a gym membership or a strict salad diet. However, a 25-year-old woman in China found a much more extreme method that involved a deserted island and a menu of roasted rodents.
Known by her nickname Zhao Tiezhu, the influencer recently secured third place in a gruelling wilderness survival contest in Zhejiang province.
According to South China Morning Post, she managed to last 35 days in the wild, walking away with not just a cash prize, but a significantly lighter frame, having shed 14kg during the competition.
While the physical transformation was drastic, seeing her weight drop from 85kg to 71kg stunned the Internet
Zhao credited her weight loss to a high-protein diet scavenged from the wild, which included crabs, sea urchins, and abalones.
However, the staple of her diet was decidedly less gourmet: she hunted, skinned, roasted, and consumed 50 rats throughout her stay, even saving some "rat jerky" for later.
Despite the cringe-worthy nature of her meals, Zhao appeared unfazed by the culinary experience.
"Rats are quite tasty," she said, noting that the experience was worthwhile despite the physical toll.
Her journey was far from a holiday; she endured 40°C heat, severe sunburn, and insect bites that left her hands and feet scarred before eventually bowing out due to a typhoon
For her 35 days of endurance, Zhao took home 7,500 yuan (RM4,400), comprising a base rate for hitting the 30-day mark and a daily bonus.
While two men remained on the island fighting for the top prize of 50,000 yuan (RM29,000), Zhao is content with her result and her new physique.
"I have another 15kg in weight to lose in the next game," she added.
