That's Fit

Martha shared in this post that Britney Spears has made sweeping changes in her lifestyle, all resulting in what appears to be a fit body and mind. One change, however, has me wondering. Spears says she's ditched sugar and that fruit is one sugary-item she's tossed from her diet. I'm not so sure this is a healthy move.

Sugar is sweet, yes. Sugar contains sugar, yes. But it's all natural -- doesn't that make it OK? I once had a nutritionist tell me to eat as much fruit as I want, while cutting back on other questionable treats. Of course, fruit has calories and calories add up but still, fruit and the sugar it contains is still a good bet for a good diet. Right? Right.

Fruit can help reduce the risk of stroke, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, kidney stones, and bone loss. What's more, fruit is pretty low-calorie stuff per cup, it's naturally low in fat and sodium, and it contains no cholesterol. Fruit contains potassium, fiber, vitamin C, folate, and bunches of antioxidants. It seems fruit, then, is one food group Spears ought to be embracing. Don't you think?

What did you think of Britney's VMA performance this past week? She looks much better than last year's performance, anyway. And I guess it's no wonder when she's spending $22,000 on a makeover. But it hasn't all been easy for the pop princess -- she has been eating well and working hard to get her body back into shape. She recently told OK Magazine how she got back into shape:

• Her Diet: "I have no sugar. I don't eat fruit or even fruit juice because of the sugar. I eat chicken and salmon and rice. I eat avocados. I'll have egg whites for breakfast and sometimes turkey burgers for lunch. I try to do just 1,200 calories a day ... It may sound like it's not much, but it's actually a lot of food if you eat the right things."
• Her Workout: Britney does "A lot of cardio and weights." She works out five days a week -- Monday through Friday.

Keep it up, Britney!

Some of us have trouble coughing up the dough for a gym membership or a session with a personal trainer, but that's not a problem for the rich and famous. Britney Spears reportedly spent an exorbitant amount to get her body back in shape. But, it seems to have worked ...

Ugly Betty's Becki Newton always looks flawless on the red carpet, favoring sleeveless gowns (doesn't everybody?). We've got her favorite trick for getting her arms red carpet-ready right here.

Eva Mendes was the star of a too-hot-for-TV ad for Calvin Klein's latest fragrance, Secret Obsession, and she shows a lot of skin. She made some changes to get her body ready to bare, and they're changes we could all make even if we don't have any plans to get naked.

Recent photos of Britney Spears in a bikini in Mexico show that the starlet is doing well with her healthy makeover -- she looked trim and healthy, and, most importantly, happy. However, getting to that point came with a hefty price tag. Britney has reportedly spent $22,000 a month to get back in shape!

So what does this $22,000 go toward each month? Britney is paying a nutritionist, buying diet supplements, and has a personal trainer and private dance choreographer on call. One thing she's not spending her cash on: Red Bull. She has switched it out for a much more healthful option, and now drinks lots of water.

Additionally, she's sticking to a 1400 calorie per day diet, though she allows herself one "cheat day," and snacks on edamame beans. Her meals are made of fresh foods, and she's only eating two-thirds of what's on her plate. It sounds like she's got a very healthy system in place, and while most of us couldn't afford her "people," all of us can load up on fresh foods and eat in moderation. It's great to see her doing so well!

Burritos anyone? Cameron Diaz will take one, and did take one -- a breakfast burrito -- the other morning after working out at the Gym on Nemo in West Hollywood. The fitness nut also had a full fat latte. The secret is out: Some stars really do eat.

VH1's Rock of Love reality star Bret Michaels -- you know, the Poison Every-Rose-Has-Its-Thorn singer -- was also spotted chowing down recently. Michaels indulged in a little southern cooking -- BBQ grilled chicken, cornbread, and ribs.

What do other celebrities really like to eat? According to this blog, Jennifer Aniston is a lover of Mexican food, Tom Cruise opts for Italian, and Angelina Jolie is a sucker for McDonalds, Cheerios, and tequila. Britney Spears: Give the girl some pasta, cookie dough ice cream, hot dogs, and her mom's chicken and dumplings.

Alicia Keys is super excited to see the sun for the same reasons we are -- she loves getting active outdoors. When the musician isn't camped out behind her piano or deep in thought writing a new hit, she says, "I like to do outdoorsy things. Hikes, trails, running, swimming. I love the sun. I'm all about the warmth."

Mariska Hargitay put down the Pringles and chocolate and found something new and healthier to crave -- tropical fruit.

Britney Spears is rumored to be trying a new diet to slim down -- the Victoria Beckham diet, which starts the day with water and lemon. Mmmm, satisfying.

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!).

Britney Spears has been amazing in a number of ways lately, but most of them have not been positive, to say the least. However, she is apparently amazing her trainer, Marc Corliss, with her dedication. He states that her commitment and attitude are the reasons she's been able to drop 15 pounds in the last four weeks.

Honestly, I would be surprised if she has dropped that much weight -- she is looking healthier, but that's a lot of weight to lose in such a short time. Either way, it's nice to see her smiling, and I'm happy to see that fitness is playing a role in her recovery.

Mario Lopez is sharing his hot body secrets in his book, Mario Lopez's Knockout Fitness, which goes on sale May 13. He's currently out stumping for the book, and while he admits that it's hard to find time for fitness, he believes everyone can achieve their best body. It's certainly helpful for him that his current job requires that he dance all day, but he has some down-to-earth tips -- eat healthy, keep a journal, and stay focused. Sounds like good advice to me!

Anna Kournikova participated in the Nautica South Beach Triathlon. Sort of, anyway. She ran a four mile portion as part of a relay team for K-Swiss. She held a very respectable 7:15/mile pace, but she had another goal that took up a good bit of her focus -- raising awareness for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. The tennis player regularly incorporates running into her fitness routine, so this was not a huge stretch for her. Some observers say she's lost her curves, but I think she looks fit and healthy.

Mariah Carey is showing up everywhere lately, but there's less of her to see thanks to a lifestyle change and nutrition and fitness coach. She admits she's bummed to give up her comfort foods, like mac 'n cheese, but she's thrilled to be fitting into the same size jeans she wore in 10th grade.

Not only is Britney Spears working out at Bally (she's been there one to three times a day, lately) -- she just might become their newest spokeswoman. You know, if fitness plays a big role in Britney turning her life around, then Bally might be taking a really smart risk. Or not. Only time will tell.

I almost hate to write a story about Britney Spears. I think the media attention she has gotten is nothing short of disturbing. But it looks like Britney is starting to take positive steps to get herself well again and, for that, I give her kudos.

After an overwhelming dose of Britney at gas stations and convenience stores and malls, it's been good to see that she's been staying out of the papparazzi's camera lenses for a while. And more recent reports show her doing things like going to dance classes. Now, Bally Total Fitness representatives have stated that Britney is working out at two LA-based Bally's gyms.

The 26-year-old singer has hired the company's two top trainers -- she is currently their only client. She's been working out for the past three weeks. The Bally's rep stated that she's been working out up to three times a day. That seems potentially excessive to me, but if she's under the guidance of experienced trainers I'm sure it's all kept in balance with her overall health in mind.

Check out AOL Body for more celebrity fitness scoops.

Salma Hayak is human -- she gained a lot of weight while pregnant due to gestational diabetes and hasn't lost it all just yet, but she's not too concerned. As for the weight gain, she said, "This is just what it takes for me to have this baby, and I really want it!" She might not be quite back to the nearly-impossibly hourglass figure she had before becoming pregnant, but she looks healthy and happy.

OK! Magazine did a cover story on how Britney Spears lost 15 pounds -- find out how! Oh, wait ... she didn't. They just used a picture from five years ago to make it look that way. Now, honestly, if she loses weight or not isn't really the issue for Brit right now -- the girl seems to be making some progress mentally and emotionally, and it seems to me like that's where her focus should stay. Keep it up, girl!

He's the Godfather of physical fitness and at age 93, Jack LaLanne has a lifetime of wisdom at the tip of his tongue. Some of it, he's sharing with Britney Spears.

Ultimately, Spears' life is up to her, says LaLanne. She has to develop pride and discipline in herself. But if she's up for some advice, LaLanne has some.

• Spears should take the lollipop out of her mouth. Sugar is toxic.
  
  
• Spears should put the right fuel in her machine, not the stuff she's currently feeding herself -- like cigarettes.
  
  
• Spears should make fitness a top priority.
  
  

Healthy habits ideally should begin when we're young, says the man who is on a national book tour -- he co-authors the book Fiscal Fitness with retirement financial advisor Matthew J. Rettick. But we can surely make good on our mistakes as we get older.

We all might learn a thing or two from this fitness superstar. Here are a few of LaLanne's tips.

• Your waistline is your lifeline.
  
  

• Exercise is King, nutrition is Queen, put them together and you've got a kingdom.
  
  

• Don't exceed the feed limit.
  
  

• You eat everyday, you sleep everyday, and your body was made to exercise everyday.
  
  
• Work at living and you don't have to die tomorrow.
  
  

For more where these came from, check out LaLanne's official website.

It's like watching a car crash in slow motion--horrifying, yet strangely fascinating. Yes, folks, I'm talking about Britney Spears, the head-shaving, red-light-running tabloid queen who has been the subject of way too much scrutiny lately. But could her diet be to blame for all the mishaps of the last few years? Sounds preposterous.

Not so fast. According to Dr. Timothy Brantley, her addiction is to blame. Her addiction to sugar, that is. She's on a virtual roller coaster of sugar highs and lows, which are only fueled by her other staple foods, caffeine and fast food. Her improper nutrition has thrown her hormones out of whack and her erratic behaviour is a result of becoming hyper from sugar, according to this article.

If you ask me, this point of view has some merit, but I think it's much more complex than eating habits. What are your thoughts?

Celebrity diets are a constant source of fascination -- we all want to know how the hottest stars achieved their shapely figure, and more importantly, how we can do it ourselves to look as good as them.

But the Celebrity Diet Doctor has taken it a step further by rating the diets of many of our favourite celebs. Here's who made the list:

• Best: Jessica Simpson, Andrea Baptiste, Lenny Clarke from Rescue Me and Ricki Lake
• Worst: Kirstie Alley, Doctor Phil, Beyonce, Ashanti and Britney Spears.
  

Want to know why each person made their respective list? Read his post to find out what the doctor thinks are the healthiest and unhealthiest ways to lose weight.

Who's your favourite or least favourite celebrity dieter?

Britney Spears' less-than-perfect body of late has been getting lots of publicity -- both bad and good -- and here's a suggestion that would definitely fall in the bad category: Life & Style magazine is reporting that her bloated body is due to her excessive drug use, which was also one of the major reasons she lost custody of her sons. According to the article, "She's bloated, and she's stopped working out. She also starves herself for three days while drinking and doing drugs, and then when she comes down she binges on junk food." Drugs apparently are also the reason that her skin is looking lackluster these days, not doubt due to her unhealthy lifestyle.

Now, I don't know hot legit the article or it's sources are but if she is abusing drugs and alcohol, it's not surprising that her looks have started to suffer. Still, It's sad to see such a promising young star so far gone. Do you agree?