Want to lose 14kg in 35 days? This woman did it by eating 50 rats!

A CHINESE woman lost 14kg in 35 days during a wilderness survival contest held on a island in eastern China's Zhejiang province from Oct 1.

Zhao Tiezhu, 25, picked up the bronze medal in the competition which ended on Nov 5 and also won USD1,000 prize money; USD840 for surviving 30 days; and USD40 for each day.

According to reports in South China Morning Post, Zhao attributed her weight loss to the high protein food, such as crabs, sea urchins and abalones that she ate while in the wild.

She also hunted, skinned, roasted and ate 50 rats over the 35 days, even keeping some rat jerky to eat after she quit the contest.

“Rats are quite tasty,” she said.

Zhao bowed out after a typhoon hit the island on November 4.

“I have achieved my goals and now I want a good sleep in my bed,” she said.

According to the competition manager, surnamed Geng, two men are still persisting on the island in a bid to win the 50,000 yuan (US$7,000) top prize.

Zhao endured 40-degree heat, her hands suffered from the rough conditions and her feet were covered in scars from insect bites. She was also severely sunburned.

But she said the hardship was worthwhile because her weight dropped from 85kg to 71kg. - November 18, 2025