That's Fit

Hilary Duff has had her weight scrutinized over the last few years -- for a while there, she was scarily thin -- but she seems to have a healthy amount of muscle and some feminine curves now, and she gives some of the credit to Pilates.

The erstwhile Lizzie McGuire actress told People magazine, "I was a gymnast before, so I was a bit more bulky in the past. [Now] I have leaner, longer muscles, my strength is up."

Looks to me like she's found a great balance of healthy eating and exercise -- perhaps due in part to her relationship with a professional hockey player. At any rate, it's great to see her looking strong and healthy!

Is it just me, or are more and more celebrities making the admission that they don't really like to exercise? First we hear that new mom Milla Jovovich "doesn't embrace exercise," and now we're hearing something similar from Christina Aguilera.

In a recent interview with Glamour, Christina admits, "I hate working out -- I have to mentally push myself through it." She works out 90 minutes a day and has a trainer, but she "can't deal with having someone barking" at her, but when she's asked to do something, she just gets focused and gets it done. She's now able to do five pull-ups in a row, as long as she's asked nicely to do it.

Christina gained about 40 pounds in her pregnancy (she had her son, Max, about six months ago), and while she was "OK with the booty and the boobs" after giving birth, she wasn't happy with the weight she was carrying around her stomach. She noticed a big change in her hips as well, and her shoe size went from a five to a seven (it's gone back down now, though -- imagine the horror if she'd had to start over with shoes!). The weight hasn't melted off easily for the diva, but she's regaining her body slowly but surely (and healthfully), and I have no doubt she'll be back to her pre-baby body shortly.

It often seems like Hollywood's leading ladies get sucked into the "thinner is better" mentality, but not Charlize Theron. The A-list actress gained almost 30 pounds for her Oscar-winning role in Monster, but she also lost nearly the same amount for a different role in Sweet Sixteen, and she didn't like either extreme.

Charlize said, "I hated being fat but I also hated being so thin. I went down to a size six and just felt completely uncomfortable." She recalled feeling ribs and bone when wrapping her arms around herself, which made her feel "totally unsexy."

Despite the pressures of Hollywood, Charlize remains insistent that her curves belong on her body, and that "women have to work out what makes them feel comfortable, whether it's about their weight or their clothes." And, while it's not like Charlize's curves are out of control by any means -- she's always looked very slender to me -- it's still refreshing to hear her say that she prefers healthy curves to skin and bone.

Katherine Heigl's beach body might start with good genetics, but the girl works hard to keep her torso long and strong. Her trainer, Missy Beaver, shared some of her secrets with People magazine, and let me tell you -- she's not doing anything fancy that you can't do, too!

Katherine uses kettleballs for 20 minutes, two or three times weekly which gives her long, lean muscles. Her trainer also suggests doing dumbbell back rows and tricep extensions to "help with improving your posture, lifting your boobs up."

Obviously she does a lot more than that, but if you haven't tried those exercises before, there's no time like the present to give it a try. Because, really, who couldn't use a free boob lift?

In many ways, celebrities are just like the rest of us. Some of them pack on the pounds during pregnancy, while others stay relatively fit. Some of them love to exercise, while others want nothing to do with it.

Milla Jovovich is one of those celebrities who experience major weight gain during her pregnancy, and, according to her trainer Harley Pasternak, she "is not someone who embraces exercise." She got up to 192 pounds by the time she gave birth in November, and then she had to be ready to be filmed in a bikini less than half a year later.

She got back down to her goal of 130 pounds in five months by ... get ready for it ... working out hard and eating well. I know, it's not exactly breaking news, but we all know this is the system that works. Milla trained with Harley five days a week, and he prepared three meals a day for her and two snacks.

Kim Cattrall has no problem showing off her body as Samantha Jones in Sex and the City, so you might assume that she has a naturally fabulous figure and that keeping her body perfect would be the most important thing in the world to her. However, the star shared with Good Housekeeping her best beauty secrets, and you might be surprised at what she had to say.

Her secret has nothing to do with painful treatments or fancy workouts. Instead, the 51-year-old star says, "I've exercised and dieted most of my life, because I'm a big girl -- I'm not a tiny little thing. But I've realized that the most important thing I can do to look good is just treat myself well ... Having my priorities in order has really helped me look better, fresher, and more relaxed."

Kim had more to say about age and the SATC movie. To read more, check out the Good Housekeeping article here.

Queen Latifah has always been one to embrace her curves, and even as the face of Jenny Craig, that hasn't changed. The actress/singer stated from day one that her weight-loss goals weren't based on "getting skinny," but rather on being healthy.

She aimed to lose five to ten percent of her body weight, and she has reached that goal. She says that amount of weight makes a difference in health-related issues, and many of her fans appreciate the fact that she's losing weight for health, not Hollywood.

Queen Latifah has followed the Jenny Craig program in addition to hitting the gym five to seven times a week and spending an hour on various cardio machines. I think it's fantastic that she's working hard to be her healthiest, and it's great that she was able to reach her goal weight in just a few months.

There's no disputing that actress Kate Beckinsale has a rockin' body -- the girl is just gorgeous. However, the actress isn't comfortable showing her bare bottom on the big screen and has requested a body double for a nude shower scene in her new film Whiteout.

Body issues aren't new for the star, who was named England's #1 beauty by Hello magazine in 2002. She battled with anorexia as a teen and as an adult has admitted that, if she could switch bodies with someone for a day she'd choose "Someone with gigantic real breasts, like Queen Latifah."

A source on the set of Whiteout said that Kate was very open about not liking her body, specifically her bottom and that she couldn't face the thought of seeing her butt up on a big screen. Personally, though, I can't help but wonder how much of it is that she doesn't like her butt and how much of it has to do with the fact that she doesn't want her nude tush on the big screen, period. She's not a fan of gratuitous nudity in movies, so regardless of her reasons, we're glad she stood up for what she wanted. After all, seeing your backside on the big screen can be difficult -- just ask Jack Black!

It's no secret how Victoria Beckham stays so very thin -- the girl doesn't eat much. It's not through physical activity seeing as how she hates wearing any sort of flat shoe. Not exactly a healthy role model for weight loss, but unfortunately Britney Spears seems to have picked up on some of the ways Posh stays slim and is trying to follow that diet.

According to the Daily Mail, a source in L.A. says, "She's been eating steamed fish and edemame beans. She was told that's how Victoria stays so slim." Doesn't sound so bad, right? Just wait -- it gets worse.

"She is also drinking goji berry juice and seaweed shakes to stave off hunger and starts each day with a cup of hot water and lemon." I hope Britney and her trainers realize that Posh may be slim, but she's not healthy -- I'm happy to see Britney hitting the gym, and if she keeps that up and eats healthfully, she should be in great shape before you know it. No need to resort to seaweed shakes (unless she likes them, but I think it sounds gross!).

Jack Black might not be the laughable, lovable lug we've come to know for long. No doubt he'll remain laughable and lovable, but the comedian decided it was time to lose some weight after seeing his bare tush on the big screen in Margot at the Wedding.

I can see where that would be some motivation.

Anyway, Jack has joined a gym and is cutting down on fast foods. Though a big part of the priority is to look better, he's interested in health as well, saying "I want to feel good too. Now, if I eat a cheeseburger and fries, it tastes so good at the time and then right after it's like, 'What did I do? Why?'"

Now, as a father of two, I'm sure health is more important to him than ever, so I'm going to wish him all the best on his new, healthy lifestyle.

Prince Charles invited the Grand Slam winning Welsh rugby team to Clarence House (his London home) last week. He spoke to them a bit about their Grand Slam win, but according to player Shane Williams, he was more interested in talking about fitness and training. Williams said that the Prince of Wales was interested in their fitness coach, and that he works out himself quite a bit (perhaps he's using the gym that William built for Kate).

As much as Charles might have appreciated the fitness advice, it's almost certain the team appreciated the invitation to Clarence House more -- Coach Warren Gatland said, "It's a fantastic experience to be here, you can smell the history here." The team presented Charles with a framed Welsh rugby shirt at the end of the party.

The Welsh rugby team now has to shake off any ego their Grand Slam win and visit with the Prince might have given them as they head to South Africa to play for the Prince William Cup.

Here at That's Fit, we're constantly telling you what we think about things, but sometimes it's nice to know what you think. So from time to time, we'll ask you a question. Don't be afraid to speak up -- we love feedback.

There's no doubt about it -- 2007 was a year for fitness. So many celebs shaped up and showed off their moves and I say good for them -- they're influencing thousands to get off the couch and get fit.

So my question for you is: Who was your favourite fit celeb of 2007? The choices are listed below. My personal choice? I think Felicity Huffman rocks -- running a Triathlon on the day of the Emmy's? That's fairly awe-inspiring if you ask me.

Twelve Fit Celebrities of 2007

.

Some people get all weepy when they see their favorite soap star at some mall promotion or get all hyped up when they get a cell phone snapshot of some D-lister they remember from an 80s sitcom ordering a Jamba Juice before getting on the subway. I personally love it when celebrities struggle with stuff like muffin tops and plain old muffins, just like we do. I love it when they go all out in an athletic event and when they wig out about being the biggest person in the room, just like we do. And I especially love it when their own brand of celebrity wackadoodleness is plastered all over gossip TV, not at all like us but nonetheless fun to talk about at work. C what I mean?

Commitment -- Just when you think you're a badass for completing a triathlon, Felicity Huffman comes along and steals your thunder. Not only did she bring it home while wearing lucky number 13, she promptly toweled off the sweat and slid on a hot purple number cut down to there for the Emmys (is it me or is this mama getting sexier every year?). Now that's commitment.

Collaboration -- And she wasn't alone! Felicity's hubs William H. was right behind his wife. David Duchovney did the old swim-bike-run and member of The Bachelor Dork Brigade Andy Baldwin also was victorious. Hmmm, I wonder if Tessa was cheering him on with Gatorade and hugs at the finish line?

Conversion -- Meanwhile, back at the Hilton ranch, Paris's new $6 million home has plenty of space for guests but not enough room for accessories. To remedy the situation and make her Manolos very happy, Paris is converting the home's fitness room into a shoe closet. But of course! I mean, she probably has people who work out for her in the servants quarters anyway.

Conventional -- Aretha Franklin laughs off her struggles with weight and reveals that the numbers she's found on the treadmill have made all her hard work "happy." She's working it off the hard, old-fashioned way and you know what that deserves.

Caked On -- Courtney Love has thankfully started to move past the skeletal look by indulging in cupcakes. I don't blame her and I certainly say that choice is better than a lot of other indulgences the now-reformed singer has made in the past. Now, on to real nutrition. There's got to be a happy and healthier medium between protein shakes and cupcakes, right?

Commonsensical -- Shanna Moakler seems to have it together with a spunky attitude about how her body's changed since having children. She's saying no thanks to the typical celeb post-partum routine of surgery or gym addiction and is instead taking nine months or more to slowly, surely work of the baby weight. I love the sentiment but just need to know: Who is she again?

Confusion -- And because for every sane celeb, there are fourteen kooky loos - Keira Knightley seems to be in the midst of some major distorted thinking about her body. The actress, who has certainly rivaled Courtney Love in the skeletal frame department, sees herself as double the size of other stars. That makes me sad. And also want a muffin.

It's been a looky loo week in the world of celebrity fitness, friends. There was lots of heart-pounding working it out that had nothing to do with exercise. Regardless, after an overdose of VMA talk, nudey picture speculation and loaded accusations, I think we're all ready to let the healing begin. Before I hand out the hugs and heart rate monitors, I'll need a few things:

Can I get HOLLA for the premiere of The Biggest Loser, complete with my soulmate and brand newish BFF Jillian Michaels? What is about a rock solid fitness phenom screaming at folks to carry big old truck tires that gives me the chills? Sigh. I guess it is not to question, just to inspire me to get out and dismantle my car for a morning workout.

Can I get a do-over for Brit-Brit? Yesssss, the VMA thang was enough to make Lindsay Lohan cringe and hand over some depressants to this guy (kidding kidding), but do we really need to have a conversation about her weight in the middle of that dance disaster? People! She's not fat. She's completely wackadoodle/one the sauce/in need of a big old mama hug/quite possibly all of the above, but the Collector of Ripped Fishnets and Marlboro Lite Cartons is not starving and is not overweight. So, can we just get back to talking about her extensions and broken acrylic nails now?

Can I get a reality show reunion for Kid Rock and Tommy Lee? The two had words and fisticuffs at the VMA awards, momentarily giving pause to all those "Fat Brit" flaming bloggers (see above). The only reason this gets a mention at all is that I have a sneaky suspicion this scuffle was a big boost in cardio for the two rockers. Well, at least since they each had their (ahem) days in the sun with Pamela Anderson. Next time add some intervals with handweights, bros and you'll have yourself some real sweat and possibly, find a way to love each other up on national television. I'll totally have Montel and Maury on the phone in like, 30 seconds.

Can I get a round of applause for Brooke Shields? She tells Fitness magazine that she's committed to an hour of working out everyday. EXCEPT when one of those beautiful babies has done what beautiful babies often do and cry a lot in the night. She gets through, not by doing The Hundred to boost her energy and inspiration, but by downing a bunch of coffee and then crashing for a nap. I love her for taking care of her body, which sometimes calls for a big cup of reality and self-care.

Can I get a towel ovah here for Vanessa Hudgens? The High School Musical star and recent canceller of many late-night interviews, was caught working out WITH HER CLOTHES ON! What?! The horrors! Is she even allowed to walk around full-clothed? Someone please use that towel to wipe the triple (and possibly quadruple, apparently) threat's brow?

Can I get a corner of that towel for Natalie Portman? She's busy not making tabloids (which I salute) and possibly, getting her Bikram on. Nat, I somehow knew you were a centered, yoga-type of lady.

Sound the horns and roll out the yoga mats! We Love to Gawk is making its triumphant return. Thanks to all of you who sent the postcards scribbled out with "Wish you were here" and "Miss You XOXO." It got to us, really. (OK, the only postcards that arrived were in the form of emails from the producer that read something along the lines of "When the hell are you going to get back in the celebrity goss game, lazy pants?!" I kid, I kid. I've been far too busy doing lunges and roller-blading to take crap from my producer, write this feature or read postcards. Also, kidding).

So, onward and upward to the fascinatingly mundane fitness routines of celebs you love, hate and read about obsessively anyway:

• Jennifer Aniston's standing up. And this isn't just big news because all of her precarious relationships with hot men. While in Hawaii with BFF Courtney Cox-Arquette, she's paddling while standing in sort of an African Queen type of exercise that proves how hawt she is. Who else (aside from Angelina, people!) would look sleek, toned and oh-so cool doing this stuff?
  

• Posh hates the gym, confirming my thoughts that the little indentation in her booty is caused from walking in monster heels rather than doing squats. But you know what does garner my sympathy? Her bum's too small for bicycle seats. That's just sad, y'all.

• Jessica Alba's just endeared herself to the teenage and frat boy populations even more. Not that it was necessary. She's not only buff as hell, she's now using Wii to get her game on.

• Reese gets in a jog in her Brentwood neighborhood. I love to see the celebs, who could and surely do all kinds of crazy exercisey stuff (yes, Jennifer, I mean you), keeping it simple. I've adored Reese since before the 'Election' years, but yowza! She's looking might fine these days. Go on, mama.

• Ashley Tisdale (who is she again?) is a curve-lovin' cardio-in-moderation kinda gal. Note to self: Stop being so freaking old and out of it and get on the 'High School Musical' bus already.