A 34-year-old Chinese man who wanted to lose weight ended up fighting for his life in an intensive care unit after following an AI-generated fitness and diet plan that doctors said placed extreme stress on his body.
The man, identified as Chen, reportedly weighed around 120kg and had become increasingly concerned about his weight and declining energy levels. Determined to make a change, he turned to AI for advice on the most effective exercises, daily calorie intake and ways to track his progress.
He also used a smartwatch to monitor his heart rate, calorie expenditure and sleep, believing that the data would help him achieve his weight-loss goals safely.
The AI-generated plan reportedly instructed Chen to climb stairs for about 90 minutes a day and play badminton twice a week, with each session lasting two to three hours. He was also advised to maintain a highly restrictive diet consisting of two eggs, half a steamed bun and a glass of milk for breakfast, followed by small portions of beef and vegetables for lunch and a box of yoghurt for dinner.
For the first 45 days, the results appeared impressive. Chen reportedly lost about 20kg, while his fitness data continued to show what appeared to be positive progress.
However, doctors later found that his body had been under severe strain, with prolonged sleep deprivation, inadequate nutrition and intense exercise contributing to reduced immunity, muscle damage and a serious energy deficit.
When Chen developed cold-like symptoms, he continued exercising according to his routine instead of resting.
That night, he reportedly experienced severe body aches, dizziness, weakness, alternating chills and fever. He also found himself needing to urinate but was unable to pass urine properly.
After taking cold medication and going to bed, his condition deteriorated. He began shaking from the cold before his wife later discovered that his body was extremely hot and urged him to seek medical attention.
Chen initially refused, but his family eventually took him to Chengdu First People’s Hospital when he could no longer stand steadily. At the emergency department, he reportedly became incoherent before losing consciousness.
Doctors diagnosed him with urinary sepsis, septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. His condition was critical, with doctors warning that delaying treatment by just a few more hours could have resulted in a fatal outcome.
After emergency treatment stabilised him, Chen was transferred to the ICU, where medical staff worked to control the severe inflammatory response, stabilise his circulation and protect his organs.
Once he regained consciousness, Chen reportedly asked critical care specialist Cao Lianghai how he could have ended up in intensive care despite following what he believed was a “scientific” weight-loss programme.
Cao explained that prolonged lack of sleep can disrupt the immune system, while severe calorie restriction can leave the body without sufficient energy. Excessive exercise can also cause repeated muscle damage and inflammatory stress.
In Chen’s case, doctors also identified kidney stones as an underlying problem. Dehydration caused by intense exercise and severe dietary restriction reportedly contributed to an acute stone episode, leading to urinary obstruction and infection before the infection spread throughout his body.
Doctors stressed that the combination of sleep deprivation, extreme dieting and excessive exercise can push the body beyond its ability to recover, particularly when someone continues training despite feeling unwell.
After leaving hospital, Chen reportedly changed jobs to avoid working through the night and adjusted his diet under medical supervision. His weight eventually stabilised at around 90kg.
However, his health problems did not disappear completely. He was left with myocarditis, while his kidney stones had not been completely cleared, and he had recently begun experiencing hair loss.
Cao warned that Chen’s experience highlights the limitations of relying too heavily on technology when making health decisions.
“AI can execute, but it cannot judge; it has algorithms, but no personal experience; it has data, but no perception,” Cao said, stressing that technology can calculate calorie deficits and record heart rates, but cannot determine an individual’s true physical limits.
The case serves as a reminder that weight loss should not simply be about pushing harder or following numbers on a screen. When the body sends warning signs such as persistent fatigue, pain, fever or difficulty urinating, rest and proper medical assessment should take priority over sticking rigidly to a fitness plan.
