Myth: Fat can be melted or kneaded awayFact:Saunas and heat pads merely get rid of the body's water, causing "instant" weight loss. But who wants to be a human prune? And kneading cannot "redistribute" fat to areas of your choice. Vibrators and vacuum pumps can traumatise your muscles.Myth: Like stringy hair, fat can be fixed at a beauty parlourFact:Obesity is only indicative of a major illness like hypertension, diabetes, heart trouble or arthritis. Some are fat because it's in their genes. Start a weight-loss programme only after consulting a doctor.Myth: Eggs for a week, fruits for two - crash diets do workFact:They don't. It's called "yo-yo" dieting. You do lose weight but all the weight you lose comes right back once you go off the chart. There is no substitute for a balanced diet with a little of everything, topped by a regulated exercise programme.Myth: A magic pill is on the wayFact:It isn't. Two anti-obesity drugs were withdrawn in the US after receiving official clearance. Doctors discovered they were causing leaky heart valves. A new candidate is on the market, but it comes with a host of statutory warnings.Published By: AtMigration Published On: Dec 21, 1998--- ENDS ---
