Shedding excess kilos and rupiah

JAKARTA (JP): To get slimmer quickly and easily, without suffering from hunger or hard exercise, is a dream of many people.

Slimming machines could be an answer.

Realizing the market for such machines, Jeanette Joesoef, owner of Maxie computerized beauty center in South Jakarta, has introduced a set of slimming machines to Jakartans.

"In 1986, after giving birth to my first daughter, I gained weight. I tried everything to loose weight, but all were useless. It wasn't until 1990 that I accidentally discovered slimming machines in Italy," said the shapely 43-year-old mother of three.

With her personal slimming secret came the potential of expanding her beauty salon into a beauty center that handled all beauty problems, from cuticles to split ends.

"I was so intimate with these machines that in 1992 I decided to be the sole agent in Indonesia because I knew they were really effective and don't have side effects," said Jeanette, who still uses a machine to lose weight.

However, according to physician Sadoso, who specializes in sport-related problems, the machines don't work.

Quoting surveys reported in some magazines, he said that such machines do burn fat, but unfortunately in such a minute quantity that they are considered useless.

"In terms of safety, they are quite safe although they're not safe for your pockets," Sadoso joked.

A set of machines sells for Rp 300 million (US$131,000). The astronomical price somewhat limits the market to ibu pejabat (wives of senior officials). They can then use the machine at home anytime they want, Jeanette said.

The machines

There are four types of slimming machines at the computerized beauty center.

The Transion is magic, according to Jeanette. The Transion machine contracts the muscles to make the body taut and break up unwanted fat without the person doing a thing.

If, because of age or other problems, the person can't exercise, Transion will do the work for the body, said Jeanette.

The Isogei machine deals with sagging muscles on any part of the body, like the face or breast. Jeanette promises quick results

The Cromogei, which uses light and color to deal with skin problem, can also handle fat and cellulite. It can reduce problems caused by stress such as insomnia and lumbago too, said Jeanette.

Maxie also uses the Linfogei to control weight and cellulite. The Linfogei improves the flow of the blood and the lymphatic system, Jeanette explained.

One treatment can cut two to four centimeters off the waist, said Jeanette. However, people over 40 with sagging skin may have to undergone longer treatments. Some men have come in to the clinic to flatten their potbellies.

After treatment care is a must by regularly performing very simple exercises at home.

"Those who don't exercise regularly will have to come back here to make their body firmer," Jeanette said, adding that clients may be asked to apply some cream over their body too.

Sadoso warned that losing weight rapidly isn't healthy because it can lead to the "Yo-yo syndrome" -- continually gaining and losing weight. This can lead to obesity and high blood pressure.

"The best way to slim-down is to exercise regularly and to control the diet under the surveillance of a physician," Sadoso explained. (als)