Having a big ‘public opinion’ in Kenya is such a big deal (no pun intended), unless of course it is used to attract ‘sponsees’. It’s no wonder more Nairobi men are hitting the gym to shed off extra fat.
While women openly discuss their weight struggles, it is a silent battle for a good number of men. Women buying and wearing slimming belts and vests is not a big deal. In Kenya, men in slimming belts and vests is still uncommon.
But that doesn’t mean that men are okay. Poor drinking habits worsened by excess intake of nyama choma results in huge bellies. This has led to some men losing their self-confidence.
Good news is that slimming vests are available in Kenya, thanks to Susan Ndung’u, a trained aeronautical engineer.
“I was a student of engineering in China when I developed interest in getting into shape,” Ndung’u says.
After falling in love with her new-found passion, Ndung’u, did a research on fat-burning slimming corsets, slimming vests, waist cinchers and latex waist trainer vests
“Soon, her company, Absolute Shape Wear, was registered and started importing stuff for women. Somewhere along the way, she noticed a growing number of enquiries from men.
“They were asking for slimming vests as well as waist trainers,” she says, adding that some of them were so desperate that they purchased body shapers meant for ladies.”
Ndung’u seized the moment and her male clients were happy to purchase their slimming vests and waist trainers.
Black and white slimming vests retail for Sh3,000, but those who are out of shape “should just be patient. Do not expect change overnight,” says Ndung’u. She adds that it is important to take lots of water because as the belts work, the body loses water.
“Wear the belts for at least eight hours inside a suit,” she advises.
