'I spent 28 days in a Chinese weight loss 'prison'. Here's what it was really like.'

About an hour into the drive, TL's doubt started to sink in.

The sky was pitch black and the heavy silence of the rural road did nothing to quiet her fears about call centre abductions.

"I was really, really scared," TL Huang told Mamamia. "I wasn't sure if this was a real place at all."

Thankfully, about two hours later, she arrived at the (very real) compound. For the next 28 days, this would be her home.

It was her mum's suggestion that TL enrol in the month-long program.

Her daughter, who had been solo travelling in China for three months, had mentioned that her fitness routine was "all out of whack."

"Because I'm Australian-born Chinese, my mum knows a lot about Chinese culture and what's trending," TL said.

What her mum knew was that weight loss camps were exploding across the country, fuelled by a national obesity crisis and a 2024 government-led "weight management" crusade.

TL was about to enter a month-long high-intensity boot camp; a locked-down, military-style regime defined by four hours of gruelling exercise a day, and strictly portioned meals.

It is an experience TL has since described on her social media as a weight loss "prison".

All it cost was $600 AUD and, at times, her sanity.

Watch: A day in the life of a Chinese weight loss 'prison'. Post continues after video.

After exiting the car, TL took in the scale of the compound.

"It was very, very large," she said. "They have one main warehouse that includes all the main workout areas. Next to that is the accommodation."

Inside, she was greeted by a contract to sign and a strict reminder that these 28 days were to be "taken seriously".

Phones were allowed, but no outside snacks or alcohol. She could leave but only on Sundays (lest she be fined 200 burpees). 

One signature and fingerprint later, TL was in her dorm room. She had one night to rest before reality hit the next day.

TL attended a Chinese weight loss 'prison'. Image: Instagram/@eggeats

Wake-up time was at 7.30am, with a weigh-in at 8.

"Trainers were tracking the changes in your weight fluctuations every single day," TL said.

Breakfast was up next. Each meal was a rotating menu of eggs, fruit and traditional Chinese staples like braised duck and lotus root.

"The food was really good," TL shared. "But I would say it's quite bland and oilier compared to normal foods."

It felt counter-intuitive for a weight-loss regime, but there was a calculated, if slightly grim, reason for the grease.

"One of the trainers told me that, when you start this program, you're more likely to be constipated, so they try to make the foods oilier."

(It's a Traditional Chinese Medicine tactic, intended to lubricate the digestive tract.)

Portions were small and varied per person.

"You are allowed to go up for seconds, but that is after everyone has been served," TL said. "And the trainers don't really like it."

TL described the food as "quite bland and oilier compared to normal foods." Image: Instagram/@eggeats

An aerobics class was scheduled for 9.20am each day, and punctuality was non-negotiable.

"If you're late to classes, the trainers will speak with you," TL said. "Every day there is a different instructor because they want to make sure that the classes are fun and interesting, so usually all the exercises are different."

The morning session ended at 10.30, followed by lunch.

From 12.30pm to 2.30pm, there was a two-hour sleep break before the afternoon HIIT class at 2.50pm.

For most, this session finished at 4pm. But some weren't as lucky.

"If there's anyone who has not met their weight goals for the week, they might have to jump on the treadmill for another 30 minutes, or do some sort of activity."

Dinner fell at 4.30pm, followed by independent exercise time, before a group spin class at 6.30pm.

After a final weigh-in at 7.30pm, it was time to shower and get some sleep before the day started again. And again. And again. For 28 days.

At first, it seemed like the month would fly by for TL.

"The first week is quite novel, and everything seems really crazy and fun," she said.

But at the two-week mark, reality hit.

"You're like, 'Oh god, what did I do?" she said. "I'm just thinking, 'I still have three more weeks of this, and every single day is regimented. I have to wake up at the same time; it's full-time exercising."

Things were made worse by her menstrual cycle, followed by a bad bout of influenza, leaving her unable to attend training sessions.

"There were a lot of emotional roller coasters during that time," TL said. "It was horrible. You're already feeling unstable, worried whether you've lost enough weight, and then I was feeling guilty that I can't work out."

"There were a lot of emotional roller coasters," TL said. Image: Instagram/@eggeats

Though strict about routine, trainers were understanding of TL's health situation. They advised her to skip exercise to stop the spread of germs, and one even gave her heat packs and tea to help with her cramping.

"He told me to let him know when I get my period, so that he knows the weight fluctuations during that time are probably caused by that."

In her hardest moments, TL knew her loved ones were just one call away. But it was her fellow campmates who best understood.

"There were around 120 people there," she said. "Around 14 to 30 years old."

TL, who is in her 20s, shared a room with an 18-year-old girl.

"I found that quite shocking," she said. "I didn't know what she was doing here."

While the program doesn't accept elderly people, TL noticed its popularity with high schoolers.

"Their parents will just send them to these camps because their summer holiday is around a month and a half long," she shared.

Everyone was determined to see the 28 days through.

"This was a challenge for me," TL said. "It was really just a mental battle; I kept telling myself that it was going to finish in two weeks. I was counting down every single day."

Finally, on day 28, the moment came.

"There were around 120 people there," TL said. Image: Instagram/@eggeats

With one more weigh-in, TL would be free to go.

"The trainer took some after photos and then weighed me," she said. "He also measured my waist, arm circumference, and thighs."

Her trainer then gave her a basic food and exercise guide.

Re-entering the real world was bittersweet… but mostly sweet.

"I was a bit sad to go because I had made friends, but I was also really looking forward to leaving because it was so rough in there, especially when I was sick. I was really, really excited to leave."

Emotional roller-coaster aside, personally, TL is happy she tried the program.

"I think it was worth it for me," she said. "It helped me build a habit."

Of course, she doesn't recommend the camp for everyone.

"You have to mentally prepare yourself because 28 days is a really long time, and it feels longer when you're in there."

*Always consult a medical professional or a registered dietitian for personalised, safe health advice.

If you or anyone you know needs support for eating disorders, please contact the Butterfly Foundation National Support Line and online service 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673) or email support@thebutterflyfoundation.org.au.

Feature Image: Instagram/@eggeats