Naked ambition drives waistline loss

Dunedin friends (from left) Craig Shaw, Garreth Jay and Petros Nitis complete a weight-loss...
Dunedin friends (from left) Craig Shaw, Garreth Jay and Petros Nitis complete a weight-loss challenge dare to run around the Octagon in their underwear at lunchtime yesterday, in the lead-up to Mr Nitis' wedding on March 24. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Potential for public humiliation motivated three Dunedin friends to each lose 10cm from their waistlines in eight weeks.

Craig Shaw, Garreth Jay and Petros Nitis made a pact in which whoever lost the least weight from their belly had to run a lap of the Octagon during the lunchtime rush wearing only their underwear.

The weight-loss challenge was prompted by Mr Nitis' pending wedding to fiancee Sarah Davie on March 24.

Mr Nitis said he wanted to be trim for his wedding and friends, Mr Shaw and Mr Jay, shared his enthusiasm for a smaller waistline.

The trio began training together eight weeks ago, increasing cardio workouts and reducing their intake of junkfood and alcohol.

Mr Shaw lost 7.5kg during the eight-week training, while Mr Jay and Mr Petros each lost about 4kg. But all three took about 10cm off their waistlines, and took to the streets together at 1pm yesterday in honour of the three-way draw.

"We either all won or all lost so we decided to do the run as a bit of a laugh, because that did keep us motivated," Mr Nitis said.

His fiance did not mind the public flaunting, but was disappointed to miss the spectacle.

Mr Nitis said his first and only attempt at running half naked around the Octagon was likely to be well documented.

"We got lots of claps, cheers and wolf whistles and a lot of people lifted their phones to take photos and videos," he said.

The friends are happy with their new bodies and will continue training.

Mr Nitis has his final suit fitting on Wednesday.

- rosie.manins@odt.co.nz

 

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