Doctor finds prescription for top performance

Wu Tiangen, a 31-year-old weight-loss expert from Wuhan, Hubei province, attracted nationwide recently by winning four championships and two runner-up titles at a national fitness and bodybuilding competition in Jiangmen, Guangdong province.

Wu's achievement as an amateur competitor is remarkable because he prepared for the competition in a mere 42 days — utilizing his limited spare time to work out during early mornings and late evenings while juggling his rigorous duties as a busy surgeon. Impressively, he shed 24 kilograms, reducing his BMI from 29.4 to below 15 — meeting the competition's requirement.

The DWOWS Championship, a prestigious flagship national bodybuilding event hosted by a sports development company in Guangdong from Jan 11 to 12, drew 470 contestants aged 17 to 46, primarily fitness industry professionals and sports experts, according to the organizing committee.

However, Wu stood out with a striking debut in the fierce competition, showcasing muscles in full form, defined contours, sculpted layers as well as smooth lines.

"Competitive sports are all about pushing your limits," Wu said.

To prepare for the competition, Wu would rise at 6 am each day, engage in one hour of aerobic exercise at the gym, and then head to work. In the evenings after work, he would undergo high-intensity strength training under the guidance of a coach, focusing on sculpting specific muscle groups.

"Not only did he impart positive energy, he also fostered an inspiring image for our entire team and the gym community," said Shi Fan, Wu's fitness and bodybuilding coach.

Shi, a 30-year-old professor at the school of physical education at Hubei University, also made history by securing the overall championship at the 2024 IFBB World Fit Model Championships held in Lithuania in October. She became the first fitness model from China to claim the women's category title.

Shi highlighted Wu's impressive stage presence characterized by a cool and seamless performance, sharply contrasting with his friendly and warm offstage persona.

"Given the changing aesthetic standards and the prevalence of online livestreaming, bodybuilding and fitness have shifted toward widespread popularity and mainstream acceptance," she said.

But Wu does not recommend his example as a daily weight loss method for the public. Wu, born in Qianjiang, Hubei, has been a sports enthusiast since childhood. He began practicing taekwondo in kindergarten and has since become a skilled martial artist, holding a third-degree black belt in the World Taekwondo Federation. Additionally, he has a strong interest in mixed martial arts. Wu later joined his hospital's basketball team and started to engage in fitness activities in 2011.

Wu, an expert in weight loss and metabolism at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, emphasized that his primary motivation for joining the competition was to promote a healthy lifestyle through scientifically proven fitness and weight management strategies. He believes that physical fitness and medical practice yield similar outcomes.

"Physical fitness involves sculpting one's own body, while being a doctor entails tailoring the most suitable solutions for patients and refining their health," he said.

The doctor advocates a balanced blend of exercise and nutrition as the key to achieving sustainable results, drawing from his extensive experience in aiding over 100 individuals in successful weight loss through dietary adjustments.

For instance, he suggests controlling the first meal, incorporating two minutes of exercise before bedtime, increasing water intake, mastering food label reading and commencing the day with a proper stair-climbing routine on an empty stomach.

"Maintaining long-term consistency through tracking progress is an effective method. With the right approach, weight loss can be as simple as breathing," Wu added. "It's not just about personal success but also a sense of duty and professional fulfillment."

Toward the end of last year, Wu took the lead in founding a mind-body exercise and combat association at his hospital, guiding his peers in engaging in physical activities.

"Witnessing Tiangen's achievement is truly inspiring. I aspire to follow suit and commit to regular exercise," said Li Zhen, a colleague of Wu.

Wu said he is preparing for another national fitness and bodybuilding competition to be held in Wuhan in May, and is confident in his performance due to the additional time allocated for scientific training.

Contact the writers at dengrui@chinadaily.com.cn