Former soldiers use their military skills to get the trainees into shape VIDEO CNN's Stacey Wilkins looks at this hard-core way to lose weight Windows Media 28K 80K   FRINGE MAIL:   Would you like to receive a weekly summary of Fringe news in your inbox? Sign up for Fringe Mail.

August 4, 1999
Web posted at: 10:40 p.m. EDT (0240 GMT)

KANG-HWA ISLAND, South Korea -- Forget treadmills, stair-climbing machines and abdominal-busters. Some South Korean women are waging a war against their waistlines with the strict discipline of a drill sergeant.

Dozens of women enrolled in an eight-day military-style diet program, which includes a mix of mountain climbing, obstacle coursework and toning exercises. Their instructors are former soldiers who use military tactics in the grueling 12-hour daily sessions.

"A lot of trainees cried because it was so tough," said trainee Yoon Hae-Young. "But after it was all over, everyone said that they were really happy they did it."

The program is the brainchild of a 24-year-old student who lost nearly 50 kilograms (110 pounds) on the tough regimen.

"The most important thing is to have the willpower to lose weight," said Military Diet Camp founder Kim Jae-oh. "The dieting program is a combination of Marine spirit and the will to lose weight."

Some of the recruits are housewives. Others are launching a final offensive against fat before walking down the aisle.

"I'm getting married in November, so I came to fit into my wedding dress," said trainee Ahn Jung-Yoon.

Reuters contributed to this report.