The wellness centre is not alone in this. Countless other companies have set out to lure customers to join their fitness programs with the promise that they will lose weight. From high end facilities such as Villa Rosa Kempinski who charge Sh12,000 for a two hour session dubbed ‘Super Slim’, to gyms in the in the outskirts of Nairobi such as Wazito Gym Wangige which charges Sh2,000 per month, the bid to monetize on weight loss is booming.
Pills, soaps and waist belts
iSlim are capsules sold over the counter in many pharmacies in Nairobi. Through its composition, the product is meant to facilitate weight loss through its ability to heighten body metabolism. Taken for thirty days, the Sh1,000 capsules are food supplements designed to work with even the most stubborn bodies.
“You just need to take the pill first thing in the morning before you eat or exercise. You however need to watch what you eat and get active to get maximum results.”
The bid to lose weight or manage weight could also lead one to stores such as Healthy U, which sell a variety of weight loss products.
“We have weight loss products that include fat burning capsules such as ‘Fat Burner’, ‘Ultra Skinny Mini’ capsules which cost about Sh7,700 and ‘Quick Body’ capsules which cost Sh5,790. One could also take Chia seeds or Muesli to lose and manage weight,” said a Healthy U worker who chose to remain anonymous.
If you fear taking pills, then the industry will give you the option of using soaps that its suppliers say are effective in weight loss.
“The ‘No-belly soap’ only needs to be used consistently and rubbed along the belly. For maximum results, use twice daily for about three months,” Maureen Wambui, a vendor of skin lightening and weight loss products in River Road said.
American reality star, Khloe Kardashian last year took to social media to talk about waist training. The influential reality star attributed her thinner waistline to using a waist training belt. The belts almost became instant Internet trends and now seem to be sold everywhere.
In Kenya, the belts retail at different prices ranging between Sh5,000 to Sh10,000 depending on where you buy it and its quality. Instagrammers such as WAIST_TRAINING_KENYA, for instance sells its belts at Sh5,000 while Plushique Store sell the ‘hourglass latex corset’ belts at Sh10,000.
Speaking about the hourglass latex cortex, Plushique Store says that the belt helps to lose inches instantly, reduces waistline, and lifts breasts.
More options
Wanja could also consider going to Arboretum Gardens or Karura Forest where dozens of people go to train. From running, to aerobics, the grounds are popular spots to train at especially because they are free.
