China is home to a growing number of private and government-run “fat prisons” where obese adults and children are locked in and forced to lose weight.
Routines in the military-style fat camps include daily weigh-ins morning and night, four hours of exercise, and three strict meals, according to an Instagram user who has been documenting her 28 days inside on one of the facilities.
The woman, known as Eggeats on social media, claims to be an Australian citizen and the first to sign up for one of the “fat prisons”, which are mainly located in repurposed buildings and on school campuses across the country, and set up for those who have failed to lose weight using other methods, The Sun reported.
Eggeats has shared a series of videos documenting her time at a fat prison in Guangzhou, which she chose because its close to where her relatives live, and said she lost 2.25kg in her first seven days, and 4kg after 14 days.
“You’re not allowed to leave the area without valid reasons, you may live with bunk mates, every day is regimented and controlled,” she said, explaining why the camps are called “prisons”, adding that banned food items such as snacks and instant noodles are confiscated on arrival.
“The gate is closed 24/7 and you can’t sneak out.”
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She explained that the meals were good and designed to replicate everyday Chinese food, “so when you get out you don’t binge”, and that non-Chinese speakers were welcome.
The first weigh-in is at 8am, and there is a “weigh-out” at 7.30pm, Eggeats said, with progress tracked by trainers, and attendees get free time between 12.30pm and 2.30pm, and from 7.40pm onwards.
The exercise routine begins with an aerobics class, followed by a group HIT class, a second aerobics sessions, and a spin class. On Sundays the morning aerobics class is held at night instead.
She shares a dorm room with five other people as part of a US$600 all-inclusive 28-day package, and said there was a more expensive $1,000 option for those who want a private room.
The price includes 72 classes with professional trainers, wifi, and all meals, and each person has their own personal desk and wardrobe inside the dorm room, but share an outdoor laundry and shower area with Asian-style squat toilets.
“I made heaps of friends, everyone is nice and non–judgemental because we all have the same goal: TO LOSE FAT!” she said, but in her last update on December 31 revealed she had the flu and was “sick and miserable and have no energy to exercise”.
Header image: Left, Eggeats at the fat prison. Right, participants during an exercise session (Eggeats – Instagram).
