Reduce your waist size - without surgery

Lose up to seven inches in 20 minutes they said. Bernadette Fallon was tempted - but could it work?

It sounded like it was too good to be true. Would I like to lose between one and seven inches from my waist with just one visit to the Harleyfit clinic in London? At this time of year? Well, yes, most definitely.

 

But I was suspicious. How would this be done? It's nothing to do with cosmetics or invasive surgery I was assured. There would be no fat sucking, nip tucking or anything that involved needles or scarring. It merely involved applying a laser beam to my skin.

 

The Inch Loss System

 

The Inch Loss System is a relatively new treatment in this part of the world. It works by using a cold laser beam to penetrate 9mm under the skin, shrinking fat cells. A total course of eight treatments is recommended, performed at twice-weekly intervals.

 

There will be some inch loss after the first treatment my therapist explained, however it generally takes three treatments for the inch loss to be visible. The most popular treatment areas are the stomach and thighs but it is possible to reduce fat in any area of the body - bingo wings anyone?

 

Importance of exercise

 

Once the laser has done its work, it is important to flush out the toxins that have been released from the fat cells, she says. Exercising is the best way to do this, drinking plenty of water is also recommended. Harleyfit gives clients a portable Pineapple machine to take home with them for the duration of the treatment - I get to try out the full-size version in the clinic where clients receive their initial training and personal exercise programme before starting their home programmes.

 

The Pineapple is basically a vibrating exercise platform, and works by speeding up the rate of fat burned by standard activities like press-ups and jogging. Ten minutes on the Pineapple is equivalent to an hour's normal workout I am told. Advice on nutrition and healthy eating to aid weigh loss is also offered as part of the package, it's a complete structured programme rather than a quick blast with lasers.

 

Why lasers?

 

But isnt it, I gently suggest, totally possible to lose weight with just the exercise and healthy eating routine, without having the added expense of the laser? A package of eight treatments, plus a detox foot bath, personalised nutrition plan and exercise programme and loan of the Pineapple machine costs 2,000.

 

'The laser offers an accelerated weight loss programme that gives instant results,' explains my therapist. Plus as it is structured, with regular visits and a tailored programme, it is easier for people to stick to it.

 

I have to agree with this analysis - who hasn't made an ardent promise to go to the gym regularly at this time of year, only to lapse from sheer boredom/ time-constraints/ de-motivation at lack of apparent results, a few weeks later? In a time-poor society, instant results hold huge appeal.

 

Time to test the system

 

So what about these instant results? Would I really see a difference? Time to test the laser. My therapist takes my measurements. 34 inches at the top of my stomach, 36 around the middle. I roll up my top to my bra and roll down my tights to the top of my legs and lie down on the bed. Three pads are attached to my stomach and I feel gentle heat on my skin.

 

It's all over in around 15 minutes and the measurements are taken again. 33 inches around the top of my stomach, 34 around the middle. A three inch loss! Not enough for me to notice the difference yet, but certainly enough to persuade me that a second visit could really reap benefits. Add this to the accelerated exercise workout and a good nutrition programme and I can very much see the appeal of this type of programme for people willing to invest some money in losing weight. It's the equivalent, of course, of several years gym membership but with quicker returns.

 

User testimonies

 

And testimonies on the Harleyfit site are glowing ...

 

‘After the first session, I lost nearly five inches ... two weeks on, I've kept it off and rediscovered my love of the gym' - Suzi Dixon, Daily Telegraph

‘I lost a total of three inches across my ‘mummy tummy' and hips, it's pain-free and has undone six months' worth of over-eating and no exercise' Red magazine

‘I'm delighted to discover that both my arms are half an inch slimmer and after a second session, they shrink by a further half an inch each' Anjama Gosai, Elle magazine

 

More information

 

The Harleyfit clinic is at 61 Harley St, London; visit www.harleyfit.com for more information (and before and after pictures), or phone 0844 549 9055.

 

 

 

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