The fitness community is mourning the tragic loss of influencer Dmitry Nuyanzin, who died after undertaking an extreme eating challenge where he consumed over 10,000 calories daily to promote his weight-loss programme.
The Fatal Challenge
Dmitry Nuyanzin, a 30-year-old fitness coach from Orenburg, Russia, with more than 43,000 Instagram followers, began his junk food 'marathon' on October 21. His goal was to gain 55lb (25kg) before using his own weight-loss course to shed the pounds alongside his students.
Announcing the challenge to his followers, Dmitry wrote: "Friends! My WEIGHT LOSS COURSE is starting very soon, where you can win awesome prizes and, most importantly, build a beautiful body, learn how to eat well, and enjoy working out! I'll be losing weight with my students, so it'll be doubly exciting!"
Rapid Weight Gain and Final Days
Throughout November, Dmitry documented his progress, sharing images of himself consuming massive quantities of burgers, pizza, crisps, pastries, and dumplings coated in mayonnaise. In just one month, his weight soared from 92kg to 105kg - a gain of 13kg.
In one post detailing his diet, Dmitry revealed: "I am currently gaining weight for my weight-loss course, and this is my 10,000-calorie diet. For breakfast, I have a plate of pastries and half a cake. For lunch, I usually eat 800 grams of dumplings with mayonnaise. During the day, I may snack on crisps, and for dinner, I have a burger and two small pizzas."
His final Instagram post came on November 18, showing him holding a bag of crisps and rubbing his stomach with the caption: "I wanted it, and I got it!" Shortly after, he cancelled training sessions, telling friends he felt unwell and intended to see a doctor.
Tragic Outcome and Warnings
Tragically, according to the Ostorozhno Novosti channel, Dmitry's heart failed in his sleep, leading to his death. He has since been laid to rest in Orenburg.
The British Heart Foundation warns that carrying excess weight can have dangerous consequences for heart health. Their guidance states that obesity can lead to fatty material building up in arteries, increasing risks of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes.
Dmitry was a graduate of the Orenburg Olympic Reserve School and the National Fitness University in St. Petersburg. During his career, he trained members of the Russian elite and inspired thousands online. Reports indicate he was married with no children.
Tributes have poured in for what friends described as "an amazing person" remembered as "bright" and "positive". One social media user commented: "It is better to prove such theories not in practice. Rest in peace." Another noted: "Well, if ever there was a cautionary tale, then this has to be it."
