Health and Fitness: Lose inches? No sweat

IF ALL that exercise sounds like too much work, here are some effort-free shortcuts

Tina O'Doherty's Inch Loss Clinic

A little like Victor Kiam, who liked his shaver so much he bought the company, Tina O'Doherty is her own best advert – because at the age of 24, her dress size almost matched her years and she weighed 18 stone. Using her inch-loss programme, she slimmed down to a size 12 and has been spreading the word ever since.

The treatment works by placing a set of pads on the skin, which send electrical impulses to the muscle groups, working them in the same way exercise does. So one treatment is equivalent to, say, 1,000 push-ups or squat jumps – all without breaking sweat.

Step forward our willing volunteer, Lesley Walker, who couldn't wait to get started. "When I arrived for my first appointment I was made to feel very much at ease by Tina and the friendly staff," she says. "Tina then took me through to the treatment room, where she fitted a number of pads around my stomach, which stimulated muscle contractions. The only feeling I was conscious of was a not-unpleasant tingling sensation around the area being treated. From time to time, the frequency was increased, which could initially be a bit uncomfortable but fairly quickly settled down.

"This treatment was repeated on each of my ten visits. But on the second and subsequent visits, before the inch-loss treatment, I also received the Laser Lipo treatment, which involved 'paddles', linked up to a machine, being placed on the skin in the problem areas."

Lipo Sculpting claims to penetrate the skin with cold lasers just deep enough to reach the layers of fat, breaking them down and sending the offending fat cells to the lymphatic system, from where they are expelled naturally. "This was a completely relaxing experience."

While she 'worked out', Walker relaxed in a private room, complete with television and magazines. The results? She lost between two and three-and-a-half inches from her diaphragm, waist and abdomen. "Needless to say, I was very happy with the result."

Courses of treatments start from £300. For more information see www.inchlossclinic.com)

Jet therapy

I'M WILLING to suffer for beauty – but a treatment that begins with the words "Do you bruise easily?" would make anyone wary. Jet therapy is going to help rid me of my dreaded saddlebags . The treatment consists of jets of air stimulating your circulation, giving deep tissue massage. The theory is that the massage will help break down the cellulite and an improved circulation will help your body rid itself of the toxins.

There are five different attachments to the jet which control the level and pressure of airflow. Since I have declared that I bruise like a peach – but would like a backside to match – I'm started off on the green one: level two.

After being measured around my middle, thighs and hips, an arnica oil is rubbed into legs and the bottom of my, er, bottom.

The Jet Therapy machine sounds hilarious, similar to an old vacuum cleaner with a scarf caught up in its brushes. And that's just when it moves easily up and down your legs. When Siobhan gets to a particularly stubborn bit, the machine sounds like Babar trapped in Abu Ghraib.

Fifteen minutes on each leg and I then have a heating gel applied and am wrapped up in clingfilm. The combination of the jet therapy, gel and your own body heat will help to rid you of the cellulite toxins much faster.

The next day the bruising means I look as though I'm wearing green-and-purple cycling shorts, although it's really not that painful.

By the final treatment, I've lost an inch and a half from my bum and an inch from each thigh. Six treatments, allied with loads of dietary advice from Siobhan, is enough to ensure I've dropped an entire dress size and finally have that peachy backside of my dreams.

Jet Therapy is only available in Scotland at Fab Beauty, Pitt Street, Leith (0131 538 3070). A course of six treatments (first one free) costs £200.

Kayt Turner


Lipo Contour

WE HAVE all heard about the benefits of magic knickers – Gok Wan extols their virtues on every episode of How To Look Good Naked. But Lipo Contour knickers claim to be more magic than most – not only holding all your bits in, but over time actually redefining your shape.

Developed by a cosmetic surgeon and made from a patented, double-layer fabric that 'micro-massages' the skin, improving circulation and breaking down cellulite, they were initially used post-surgery and post-pregnancy as support pants – then patients began reporting their slimming side-effects.

If you're not used to wearing constricting underwear, the pants take some time to get used to. I spent the first couple of days hoisting them up and generally feeling fairly sweaty. Despite almost giving up, it is surprising how quickly I got used to them. And the instant effect is certainly noticeable – I had to go up another notch on my belt to keep my jeans up. The shorts must be worn next to the skin for eight to 12 weeks, for the full effect to be achieved. This means handwashing them every night and, truth be told, I struggled to make it to eight weeks. But my silhouette was smoother, my bottom was firmer and my hips were sleeker. My tum, though, has resolutely stayed the same shape. I wish I'd ordered a smaller size and put up with the indigestion.

(£49.99, healthwholesaledirect.com)

Ruth Lesley


VelaShape

ANNE McIntosh, a well-preserved 60, had tried the gym, diets and all manner of beauty treatments, but couldn't shake that stubborn tummy wobble. A regular client at Fantasia health and beauty salon in Inverness, she tried a new toning and anti-cellulite treatment called VelaShape. The treatment, which uses infrared light and radio frequency to break down fat cells, involves placing suction pads on the area of the body being treated.

"I was very sceptical at first," she admits. The sensation is a little like "being given a love bite by Mick Jagger" – not unpleasant but a little surprising until you get used to it. Afterwards, the skin is only slightly red and can be a little hot but that quickly calms down.

After four one-hour-long treatments over four weeks, she finally began to notice a toning effect on her tummy, and a changing silhouette. "I was absolutely amazed," she says. "I lost a total of four inches around my waist, which I was delighted with. It has evened out the contours of my body and has given me a bit more shape around the waist."

£850 for a course of eight treatments. Call 01463 243244 or log on to www.fantasiabeauty.co.uk