All those things conspiring to keep you from the gym aren't really anything new say personal trainers and nutritionists. But if you are trying to achieve a more physically fit body and outlook, it may come as a bit of surprise that getting in shape takes more than simply going to the gym.

The Spa at the Hilton has launched a new "New Year Shape Up" package to help reduce the look of cellulite, firm skin texture and combat dimpling for a slimmer, smoother silhouette.

The two-hour package includes a Cellu M6 treatment followed by a full-body scrub and seaweed body mask.

"The Cellu M6 machine is not actually for weight loss. It serves to diminish cellulite which produces a remodeling of the silhouette," said Deborah Childs, manager of The Spa at The Hilton.

She explained that cellulite is seen as the unsightly dimpling appearance of the skin, otherwise known as the "orange-peel effect."

It involves the enlargement of fat cells and the retention of fluid in the superficial tissue layers of skin. As these fat cells swell in size, the membranes become distorted and lose their shape causing visible changes in both the quality and texture of the skin.

This process further exacerbates micro-circulation impairment and the build-up of toxins and fluid within the connective tissue.

Cellu M6 machine uses rollers and gentle suctioning to deeply massage problem areas in the waist, abdomen, hips and upper arms. It stimulates the elimination of toxins and the vascularization of tissues, thus provoking a rapid reduction in the volume of fat cells and cellulite.

I was asked to wear a body stocking as the therapist ran the treatment chamber - akin to a human vacuum - over my body, concentrating on the affected areas. I was languishing in the soothing-yet-invigorating sensation of a deep-tissue massage courtesy of the machine. I felt my tension subside as the rollers lifted, stretched and mobilized the skin tissue.

Childs said the machine can achieve a real gymnastic effect on fat tissue. Even people who exercise regularly and follow the most drastic nutritional regimen may still have cellulite.

As both diet and exercise affect the deeper layers of fat, they fail to remedy the more superficial cellulite. In addition, the Cellu M6 yields excellent body sculpting results in wonderfully, smooth tight skin.

The powerful, one hour M6 treatment was followed by a body scrub to improve circulation and remove the top layer of dead skin cells. The body scrub helped the following seaweed mask penetrate as fast as possible.

The seaweed body mask completed the treatment. "Seaweed is a very good flusher and helps to jump start the metabolism," Childs said.

I was wrapped in a heated sheet for 20 minutes: the heat created from the blanket helped absorb the seaweed faster and made me sweat.

"We do not advocate this as a slimming treatment," Childs said. "Through sweating, you are flushing out toxins more easily from the body."

Designed to detoxify and improve circulation, this smoothing seaweed body mask improves the skin's tone for a sleeker, silkier contour. The mask also delivers intensive moisturization and increases skin suppleness.

However, to see the best results, a series of shape-up treatments is recommended. The result was obvious - a more toned figure, orange peel skin eradicated and a smoother and firmer look.

Walking out of the spa, I felt amazingly lighter and refreshed.

Address: 4/F, 250 Huashan Road

Tel: 021-6248-7777 ext 2600

Price: The regular package is 1,200 yuan (US$154). Shanghai Daily readers pay only 880 yuan if mentioning this article when booking.