We all look for a quick and easy ways to shed those unwanted kilos, or a marvellous way to bust that unsightly cellulite build-up. If you're not one to spend hours lifting weights in the gym, running on the treadmill at an incline of 10 and eating strictly according to a diet, you aint gonna get that bod you want so easily.

I believe there's never a quick fix for losing weight and am always sceptical when it comes to quick fixes. But there is an easier way that requires just a bit of dedication to help you on your way and it does work. I tested it. Meet: i-Lipo!

What is i-Lipo?

i-Lipo uses low level laser technology that helps to stimulate a trigger in your fat cells which breaks down stored triglycerides (a type of fat found in your blood that your body then uses for energy) into free fatty acids and glycerol. This fat content is then released through the cell membrane and transported around the body where it will be 'burned off' later. To make sure you're burning off this excess 'fat energy' you have exercise for 30 minutes immediately after the treatment. By exercising, your body releases the stored fat and uses it as fuel. If you do not exercise, the fat will just return to the cell. The low level laser mimics the body's natural fat burning process but allows you to target specific areas in your body. There is no damage done to the cell. Imagine the fat cell as a grape. Once the cell has been targeted with the laser it now looks like a raisin – make sense?

Diet

What you eat plays an important role in the effectiveness of the treatments. A doctor will consult with you before you begin treatment, to make sure everything's good to go and to provide you with a healthy eating plan.

How many treatments does one require?

If you want the treatment to work effectively, you're required to have eight sessions. This is broken down over a period of four weeks, two sessions per week. The laser pads are placed on your targeted area for 20 minutes, and you've got to wait 48 hours in between each session.

Cost

This depends on which clinic you go to. An eight week course can cost between R3 600 and R4 000.

Results

You can see results immediately after one treatment and they improve with every session.

My experience

I had my treatments done at the Skin & Body Renewal in the Cape Quarter. I saw the doctor before my first treatment, where she made sure I was fit to perform i-Lipo and was given a strict low carbohydrate and calorie diet to follow. Francette, my lovely therapist, explained how the process worked and before and after each treatment, took my measurements above and below the belly button.

Here is what I lost in three different sessions and how immediate the results really are:
Treatment 1: -5cm (above & below belly button)
Treatment 4: -10cm (above & below belly button)
Treatment 8: -7.5cm (above & below belly button)

I did put on a few centimetres over the eight-week period due to water retention and falling off the diet track over the weekend. In total, over the eight weeks I lost 11cm.

This is a pain free way to help target stubborn fat cells. And while I chose to target my tummy area, all I felt was a warm sensation on my stomach where the pads were placed. After each 20-minute session I cycled for half an hour and on the days I didn't go for treatments I trained at the gym. If I cheated and didn't stick to the diet 100% I could immediately see the difference in the measurements.

This is not a permanent weight loss alternative and is like any diet. You need to follow a healthy eating plan and keep up the exercise in order to keep your results down. Further treatments can be performed if you have indulged a bit too much, but you can only target one area of the body at a time. So another eight week course would need to be done if you want to target another area such as your arms or legs.