Taco Bell has such strange powers over people.
First, they got Dolly Parton and Doja Cat caught up in a "Bring Back the Mexican Pizza" campaign to promote that discontinued menu item, leading to a musical production.
But this story is even better.
Chris Sandberg decided to go on a weight-loss journey, but his goal wasn't a certain amount of weight lost or muscle built. Instead, Chris decided to exercise every single day until Taco Bell brought back the Grilled Stuft Burrito.
About one year into the coronavirus pandemic, Chris Sandberg decided it was time to get serious about losing weight – by turning his health journey into a TikTok challenge.
In January 2021, Sandberg, 37, began exercising every day until Taco Bell brings back his favorite menu item, the Grilled Stuft Nacho.
He's continued the challenge for more than 480 days – shedding approximately 87 pounds in the process.
Here's Chris on day one:
And here's Chris now:
.
.
.
Dang Chris!
Get after it bro 💪
"Because it's TikTok, you can't just lose the weight, you have to turn it into a challenge," Sandberg, who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, told Fox News Digital. "I didn't want the journey to be about a number on a scale."
"I wanted it to be fun and maybe the goal was something that I wanted," Sandberg added. "And for some reason, the first thing that popped into my head was the Grilled Stuft Nacho, and I just ran with it."
That's social media for you.
Fast food and losing weight are not usually a match made in heaven. But when the juxtaposition is used as a tool to go viral then it just makes perfect sense.
Taco Bell first introduced the Grilled Stuft Nacho in 2013, according to the Taco Bell Wiki.
The menu item – which is described on the website as "a flour tortilla, shaped like a nacho, stuffed with beef, cheesy jalapeno sauce, sour cream and crunchy red strips" – was discontinued by 2015.
Sandberg said he tried the Grilled Stuft Nacho for the first time right before it was removed from menus.
"It was the best thing I ever had at Taco Bell," he said. "And then I had it every day for a week."
When Sandberg went back to his local Taco Bell the following week, he said the Grilled Stuft Nacho was no longer available.
What makes the Grilled Stuft Nacho so special to Sandberg is the cheesy jalapeno sauce, which Taco Bell doesn't use for any other menu item.
"I want to make this clear: the cheesy jalapeno sauce is different than their creamy jalapeno sauce," Sandberg said of another sauce on Taco Bell's menu.
Although it's been about seven years since he first had the Grilled Stuft Nacho, Sandberg said he still thinks about it.
"I just haven't let it go."
I completely understand this.
If Taco Bell ever dropped my favorite menu item then I would be just as heartbroken.
And probably nearly as motivated.
"For me, I realized that it's not about losing weight, but it's about building a stronger body," he said.
Sandberg said he's learned healthier eating habits, but hasn't cut anything out of his diet.
"I couldn't do this if I had to give up food I love. I just don't eat it every day," he said.
Sandberg said he regularly enjoys a "treat" meal – not a cheat meal.
"You should never call it a cheat meal," he said. "You're not cheating yourself. You are definitely treating yourself. And if you are being efficient and you are being aware throughout the week, have a burger, have pizza. It's OK."
Does this guy do personal coaching? Because I'm very interested in this weight loss/weight training program that lets you enjoy Taco Bell.
But the real question is when does this all finally pay off for Chris?
Will Taco Bell ever bring back the Grilled Stuft Burrito so that Chris can finally take a break?
P.S. Now check out our latest video 👇
