Trim Treatments
Few things in life are as inevitable as gaining weight in the tummy, thighs, and derrière, and few New Year’s resolutions are as inevitable as vowing to battle those bulges. Diet and exercise are the most sensible plan for looking and feeling great, but why not supplement your hard work this winter with one of these slimming treatments.

Ionithermie
French women may owe their lithe physiques in part to Ionithermie, which was invented in France in 1979 by biochemist Olivier Fouchet. In San Diego, at the new Hillcrest location of Ageless and Beautiful, aesthetician Farzaneh Momeni is an old pro, having trained in Europe long before the treatment made its way stateside. "This may feel a bit uncomfortable," she’ll warn in her lilting Persian accent after covering your entire midsection in a conductive algae-clay mask and attaching small electrodes. For a half hour, a gentle electric current runs through your body at short intervals, stimulating muscles and helping detoxifying agents to permeate the skin. Proponents claim that the treatment shaves off inches, tightens troubled areas, and reduces the unsightly "orange peel" appearance of cellulite. (619/299-0264, www.agelessandbeautiful.com)

Cellulite Reduction Therapy
La Jolla’s Cove Wellness also takes a European approach, combining several different therapies to target the lymphatic system. This three-hour treatment includes Bio-energetic Lymphatic Drainage, which unblocks lymph nodes, increases blood flow, and improves the delivery of vital nutrients to the cells, as well as Colon Hydrotherapy and the Detox Foot Spa (see November’s issue for more on this treatment). The idea is to clear all the junk out of your system for better cell health, because cellulite occurs when fluids and toxins are trapped in subcutaneous fat cells. To continue the detoxification, drink plenty of water and avoid chocolate, coffee, and alcohol. (858/551-9228, www.lajollalymphatic.com)

Phyto-Marine Body Contouring Treatment
The Hilton’s Artesia Day Spa & Salon in the Gaslamp offers this slimming treatment. As you lay in a shallow basin, an aesthetician will dry brush you to improve circulation, then slather your body in either marine clay enriched with kawa kawa or a micronized mix of red and brown seaweed. You’ll then be snugly wrapped and left to relax while the mask works its magic, after which you’ll be rinsed thoroughly with a warm stream of water from an overhead shower system. Not only will you feel like a happy baby at bath time, but after an application of firming cream, your skin will be as smooth and firm as the proverbial baby’s bottom. (619/338-8111, www.artesiadayspa.com)

SmartLipo
For more dramatic — and permanent — results, Laser Clinique is one of few places in San Diego to offer laser-assisted liposuction, an FDA-approved procedure also known as laser-assisted lipolysis that is much less invasive than traditional lipo. Under local anesthesia, laser fiber is directed through a small cannula, rupturing the subcutaneous fat cells and "melting" away excess fatty tissue. SmartLipo takes about 45 minutes and usually requires only one treatment and two weeks in a compression garment (as opposed to two months). Bruising, swelling, and pain are minimal. The procedure is ideal for those who aren’t the best candidates for regular lipo, but still have a little extra padding in their problem areas — under the neck, the backs of the arms, the abdomen, or the knees. (858/481-7701, www.laser-clinique.com)
— AnnaMaria Stephens

Alternative Sit-Up
According to licensed physical therapist and Yoga therapist Nataly Pluta, president and owner of Pluta Movement Therapeutics, Inc. in Solana Beach, there is a better alternative to the traditional sit-up for toning the abdomen, decreasing abdominal fat, and preventing back pain. "The biggest misnomer is that the traditional sit-up, as we know it — lying on back, knees bent so feet are flat, and curling up your abdomen towards the knees — is one of the worst exercises one can do," says Pluta. Instead, she teaches core stabilization exercises, like those done in the simple yoga plank pose, commonly viewed as the top part of a push-up. A physical therapist for over 25 years, Pluta developed the technique for dealing with back pain after she suffered her own back injury in her early years. "I used traditional physical therapy and sit-ups to cure my own back pain, but it never truly went away, until I found yoga." (619/787-2729, www.plutatherapy.com) — Maria Desiderata Montana

Beauty Bar
Blatt Beauty is the latest addition to the growing Tobi Blatt shopping empire in San Diego, which includes several popular boutiques. The retail shop carries body, bath, beauty, skin, and home products for men and women. Creative director Jessica Martin says it’s meant to have an "apothecary-style feel to it." Create your own custom fragrances and body products, or choose from lines like True Cosmetics, Valerie Beverly Hills, and the ultra-hip Apothia (created by Ron Robinson, a 36-year veteran of Fred Segal), which is sold exclusively in San Diego by Blatt Beauty. Sundays and Mondays are brow days (appointments suggested), or book some time with a makeup artist Tuesday through Friday. Blatt Beauty plans to offer a hot shave for gents, but hasn’t found the right specialist yet. "Because," says Martin playfully, "you don’t want just anyone putting a straight razor to your neck." (858/509-7761, www.tobiblatt.com) — AnnaMaria Stephens, photo by Kristy Ann Mann