Reprinted from Healthnewsdigest.com

Light based fat reduction and body shaping devices are rapidly growing, stemming from our never ending quest for thinner thighs and tauter tummies. New technologies combine lasers, various forms of radio frequency and ultrasound, heat as well as cold energy to dissolve fat and offer less invasive solutions than traditional liposuction that often involves general anesthesia and a hospital stay. The beauty of these systems is that the recovery is minimized. One system is VASER® High Def Sculpting which uses ultrasonic energy to precisely destroy fat deposits gently. The technology makes it possible to finely sculpt delicate areas of the body to create an athletically toned appearance by more precisely removing both superficial and deep fat around muscle groups in order to enhance the visibility of the underlying musculature. There has also been an explosion of a new breed of “laser-assisted liposuction,” or “LAL” systems, that use a fine cannula or tube like instrument inserted into the skin that contains a laser fiber inside to deliver energy directly to fat cells, causing them to rupture and dissolve. The surgeon may then suction away the dissolved fat and the tissue around the area coagulates, resulting in an overall firming effect, which is the Holy Grail of all fat destruction systems. The main advantage of systems like SmartLipo™, CoolLipo®, LipoTherme® is that they help to tighten the skin, reduce sagging and improve contours.

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Photo Credit: FitFlops
 
We have all seen her on the evening commute: that stylish specimen, impeccably dressed, flawless hair and makeup, gorgeous nails, drool-worthy bag… but wait, what is that on her feet?  She may have killed it in stilettos at a power lunch, but now she’s hoofing it home in a pair of kind of ugly, very expensive shoes that promise to improve posture, alleviate back, neck and joint pain, and tone the thighs and tush.  Where did they come from and do they actually deliver?  Beauty in the Bag serves up the skinny on the latest stampede of functional footwear, all designed to produce instability and maximize the benefits of every stroll.  Instability (that underlying principle of Pilates, Bosu, Madonna’s beloved Power Plate workout and a bevy of other buzzworthy regimens) compels you to activate your muscles.  Otherwise you fall down. 
 
But what about the thighs?  And what about the tush?  Let’s talk shoes.
 
MBT – The name is an acronym for Masai Barefoot Technology.  Its makers call it “the anti-shoe,” and they have even gone so far as to establish their own scientific research academy.  First manufactured in the late nineties, the MBT has a distinctive thick, curved sole outfitted with a sensor.  That sensor simulates walking on uneven terrain, promoting natural movement and healthy form.  The first generation of MBTs were, to put it bluntly, heinous, but they have come a long way from their fugly origins.  A new series has a smaller, less freaky looking sole – but I say go big or go home.
 
I road-tested the clunky M. Walk style.  The first few steps are decidedly weird.  It was déjà vu to my childhood roller rink, and those first moments just after lacing up my skates.  These shoes are made for walking and not much else; the MBT FAQ claims that the shoes are safe for use on the treadmill, elliptical, or for slow running, but I’m pretty sure that those activities in MBTs would land me in a face plant.  On brisk walks, I notice that I engage my core muscles, something I should constantly do but rarely remember to, and it does feel like my hamstrings and glutes work harder when I wear the shoes.  My feet love the support provided by MBTs.
 
Price: From $200, www.zappos.com
 
REEBOK EASYTONE – Reebok’s entry into the fray is perched on top of two balance pods to produce instability, which the promotional literature likens to walking on a sandy beach.  The company claims that EasyTones activate hamstrings, glutes and calves.  By far the most normal looking pair in the bunch, they even approach cute and bear the strongest resemblance to standard sneakers.  Reebok has designed an entire product line including flip flops, training shoes and walking shoes, all featuring SmoothFit for seamless comfort and DMX Max, which moves air from heel to toe with every step. 
 
They don’t look so bad, and at a fraction of MBTs price, I wanted to love them, but I didn’t feel like my muscles were working harder than usual and my messed up feet need more support than EasyTone delivers.  Unfortunately, I felt that most in my ankles. 
 
Price: From $110, www.zappos.com
 
FITFLOP – As we look back on Summer 2009, the Fitflop may go down in infamy as the UGG boot of its time… funny looking and absolutely ubiquitous, an “it” shoe that is equally revered and reviled.  Marcia Kilgore, founder of the Bliss spa brand, collaborated with a British biomechanist to turn out the clunkers in 2007 with record sales.  Since then, Kilgore has found ways to pretty up the brand, teaming up with British brand Liberty and NYC boutique Kirna Zabete for limited edition sandals.  The thick soles are effective shock absorbers with varied densities of foam, producing that good old instability, stimulating slow-twitch muscle fibers. 
 
I have the Oasis Fitflops in black suede and I live in them, not because they work wonders for my butt, but because my war-torn tootsies love them.  After years of aggressively impractical footwear, my feet have finally said “enough”.  I can’t wear my cute Havaianas all day long; my feet want structure and support.  Fitflops fit the bill, so I can actually walk home from a pedicure without wrecking my polish or my arches.  Physical therapist Stacey Palmer, MPT, is skeptical about the toning claims, but she says that Fitflops have been great for her Plantar Fasciitis.  The squishy soles deliver relief for her aching heels, and she explains that “instability of the sandal sole makes the intrinsic muscles of the foot work while you walk, which keeps the sole of the foot from stiffening up and keeps the arches and the fascia stretched out. It helps strengthen the foot itself and keeps some of the pressure off that inflamed tissue.”  I also suffer from PF and will continue to wear Fitflops for that very reason.
 
Price: From $45, www.fitflop.com

But wait, that’s not all!  We haven’t walked a mile in these, but here is an overview of a few more brands.

SPRINGBOOST – With shoes for fitness, Nordic walking, walking, volleyball and performance training, Springboost has adjustable insoles to help with Achilles problems, but apparently the sole is like wood.  Developed by Swiss sports medicine specialists, Springboost uses Dorsiflexion TechnologyTM to purportedly improve performance in explosive power, vertical leap and speed, efficiency in muscular work, trimming, toning, increasing calories burned and enabling you to run faster. 

Price: From $99, www.springboost.com

CHUNG SHI – Chung Shi claims to combat cellulite, improve core stability and posture with a built-in “Pilates system.”  Apparently these are great for core stability, but like the Easytones, they aren’t the best for weak ankles.  One perk of Chung Shi Shoes is that they are machine washable.

Price: From $235, www.chungshiusa.com
 
SKECHERS SHAPE UPS – Skechers boasts that their Shape Ups will improve circulation, tighten abdominal muscles, firm calves, reduce cellulite, firm buttocks, strengthen the back and improve posture.  Designed to simulate walking on soft ground, Shape Ups are comprised of a rolling bottom, soft foam heel support and dual-density midsole. 
 
Price: From $110, www.skechers.com
 
 
Caveat Emptor – Sad but true (and such old hat), no shoe will ever take the place of a good old-fashioned workout.  These shoes may maximize your muscular activity while walking, but don’t burn your cross trainers just yet.  One of these options could be a winner if you are a serious walker looking to get the most out of your mileage, but if you truly want to transform the shape of your body, you’ll need to hit the gym hard or schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon.

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Non-surgical fat blasting and body shaping are taking the world by storm

When SmartLipo® first exploded onto the scene in Europe,  People touted it “as close as humans can come to that fat-melting fantasy.” Today there is an avalanche of flab-away devices that are already FDA approved to pulverize fat cells with radio frequency, ultrasound, and laser energy, and countless more on the way to a clinic near you.  Kim Kardashian had Velashape® on her show and claims that it helps her keep those famous curves in check. Brittany Spears has been rumored to have gotten back to her pre baby weight with a little lipo help. Even Kenny Rogers and Alexander McQueen have been linked to a little lipo around their mid sections. 

AB FLAB

For post baby tummies and perimenopausal midriff bulges, VASER® Lipo allows for contour refinements that produce six pack abs and supermodel silhouettes. The VASER® High Def^TM is the ‘go to’ technique to sculpt your core so you look like you spend all your time at Equinox® with a beefy trainer named Sven. Featured on Dr 90210, the VASER® system precisely removes both superficial and deep fat tissue to reveal the underlying musculature that you may not have seen for awhile. Even if you’re not in tip top form, you will surely see some contour improvements. www.vaser.com  Average price: $3,500 and up

BACK ROLLS

For those flabby bits that creep around your bra straps and stand in the way of wearing fitted tees, SmartLipo® offers the benefit of combining liposuction with laser skin tightening. It’s a two step procedure; first the diode laser liquefies fat deposits through the skin, and then the oily liquid is suctioned out through a tiny incision. Voila – unsightly back rolls are history! The advantages of SmartLipo® over traditional liposuction are that it can be done in your doctor’s office, the fees are kinder and gentler, and recovery is quick and easy – a weekend will do it. www.smartlipo.com  Average price: $2,500 per area

 MUFFIN TOPS

Body jet liposuction, also called Water Jet Liposuction (WAL) is the wet way to reduce body fat. A pulsating water-spray device, sort of like a jacuzzi with a nozzle, exerts pressure to break down fat cells, and the liquefied fat is then removed through tiny scars. The result is less bruising and swelling, and your bulges can be treated under a local anesthetic so you go home the same day. If you need fat from your hips injected somewhere else, like cheeks or lips, WAL also allows the surgeon to harvest the fat he needs at the same time. Think of it as fat recycling. www.eclipsemed.com  Average price: About $2,500 per area

SADDLE BAGS

What does OC Housewife Jeana do for her thighs? Jeana Keough, the real estate mogul and mother of three on Bravo’s reality show, “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” touts Smoothshapes® as her remarkable slimming secret. Some say that 80% of women have cellulite – but it’s probably closer to 100%. Even size zero gals who slip into skinny jeans with ease, can have dimples. SmoothShapes® by Eleme Medical goes after cellulite with a vengeance and remodels your skin so dimples are destroyed after a course of two treatments per week for four weeks and stay away for awhile.  The device uses Photomology® which combines dynamic laser and light energy. www.smoothshapes.com Average price: $2,500 for a package of 5 treatments

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