If you think you have weight problems, imagine sampling the 50 monthly recipes in Bon Appetit magazine at least three times, dining at a new restaurant every night and having Thanksgiving in July? Christine Muhike, editor of Bon Appetit, tells W magazine, August 2012, about her private battle of the bulge.

Muhike, a daily exerciser, was more concerned about body sculpting than fat burning, so she decided to aim state-of-the-art fat burning treatments, including energy beams and lasers, at her body fat.

She visited multiple aesthetic professionals, one who looked her over and then proclaimed “BEAM,” which is the acronym for Bio Electrical Acceleration Management, a muscle stimulator that does sit-ups for you. “When the muscles are tighter and shorter, you get rid of excess toxins, water and fat,” eliminated in urine. The aesthetician promised results that would last at least one week and according to Muhike, they did.

Muhike wanted longer-lasting results, so she turned to the most talked about machines for volume reduction and skin tightening - CoolSculpting by Zeltiq and Exilis. CoolSculpting uses extreme cold to destroy fat and Exilis uses superhot radio frequency waves to melt fat in the cells as ultrasound tightens the skin. With Exilis, a Manhattan dermatologist warns that the treatment is ideal for stubborn areas like the belly or under the arms in those who keep in shape with diet and exercise. "If you go on a bender, the fat will return."

Muhike opted to try Exilis, which meant submitting to an electrically charged metal-tipped wand. When the wand got too hot, Muhike would protest and the temperature would be dialed lower. After six sessions over a two-month period, she lost two inches around her middle and her stomach looked flatter than it had in a decade; five months later, she’s still happy with the results.

Encouraged by her success, she decided to try the Apollo, considered the most cutting edge of the radio frequency treatments because it has three poles of energy compared with Exilis’s single pole. In addition to melting fat cells, the Apollo is said to stimulate collagen growth. With this treatment, Muhike lost an inch in less than 30 minutes. But, just like Exilis, fat cells liberate their contents, but it’s up to you to keep it off.

If you're interested in body sculpting, a board-certified plastic surgeon can assess if you are an appropriate candidate.