If you're looking for fitness inspiration, why not look to the stars? Each week, we round up some of the best celebrity fitness stories for you. Many will motivate you to hit the gym and eat healthfully, while some ... well, some can be viewed more as cautionary tales. But no matter what, you're going to be entertained!

Our own Liz Neporent says calcium can help us build bones and lose weight and thinks that maybe it's not such a good idea for women to ditch dairy from their diets. FitSugar tells us that Jenny McCarthy did it, though.

Jenny says her dairy-free (and gluten-free) diet keeps her trim. The hot momma appears on the May cover of Shape magazine looking, well, in pretty good shape, so she must be doing something right. We do hope she's finding other ways of nourishing her body with calcium. Liz says the recommended daily intake for women is 1200-1500 mg daily and suggests sources like Chinese cabbage, kale, broccoli and calcium-fortified foods including fruit juices, fruit drinks, tofu and cereals.

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When I think of Julia Louis Dreyfus, lots of things come to mind. Aside from having a winning smile, she's funny and quirky on her current show, "The New Adventures of Old Christine," and man, does she ever have some great hair. And who can forget her "Seinfeld" character Elaine's ridiculous dancing skills (if you can call them that)?

However, it turns out that, at 48 years old (yes, really, 48), Julia can include wicked sexy and in shape to her list of attributes. She's on the April cover of "Shape" magazine, and girlfriend is stunning in a bikini top and cardigan. (By the way, does anyone ever actually wear a cardigan over a bikini top? Because, I never see it in real life, but I'm kind of digging it.)

What's even better is that she's truly earned that body. She hasn't been nipped or tucked, and she doesn't have plans to go under the knife any time soon, saying, "Of course if things start to fall, I may have to do something to pull it all up. But seriously, the whole idea scares me. My mom never had it done and she looks fantastic. Hopefully I'll follow in her footsteps." Plus, her husband is totally against the idea, which always makes a bit of difference.

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It's the exact body I want -- a fit, firm and fabulous one that can handle carbs without a care. The one just like Ashley Tisdale has.

Tisdale, the 23-year-old High School Musical star, works hard to stay in shape -- she eats well and works out rigorously. I do that too. No junk food for this girl. Me either. But there are no bans on carbs for the self-proclaimed once-too-skinny starlet, who tells Shape magazine that she loves bread, corn bread and french fries. She just adores carbs and can't do without them. Here's where we differ.

I love carbs too. But I mostly steer clear to keep my scale stable. A piece of bread here and there, a handful of crackers on occasion -- this I can handle. But making a regular habit of carb consumption makes my weight soar, and I'm just not comfortable with that.

How about you -- do you have a handle on carb consumption and weight management? Tell us how you do it.

Get schooled in HSM fitness(click thumbnails to view gallery)

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The weather outside might be frightful, but bikini season is lurking mere months from now. I know, I know ... it seems crazy to think about wearing bikinis when it's December. (Unless you live in Hawaii, in which case, I'm jealous and I would love to come visit.) But if you make the strides to get your body in bikini shape now, you'll be smoking hot come summer.

Shape magazine has a five-month Bikini Body Countdown program that's sure to get you looking great in your itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny suit. Shape provides instructions, videos and a list of gear that you'll need for each month. It's not too soon -- so check it out now.

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Faith Hill celebrated her 41st birthday by appearing on the cover of Shape magazine in a bikini and a cardigan. There's no question that she looks smokin' hot. Though there is a question about why anyone would ever wear a cardigan with a bikini ... but we'll blame that on the stylist.

Hill said that she loves to exercise, and she cooks with fresh veggies from her own garden -- Mediterranean dishes are a favorite. I'm glad to hear it, because based on the recipes she says are her go-to dishes, she obviously needs the balance healthful meals and exercise give her. Hill's favorite dishes are:

• Corn bread dressing with gravy
• Coca-Cola cake
• Sausage balls

While they may be yummy, these are certainly not figure-friendly recipes. If you want to try out any of Hill's favorite recipes, be sure to follow the "Make it Healthier" instructions Shape magazine provides. And, if you want to look as sexy as Faith Hill, balance treats like this with healthier foods and plenty of exercise.

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Kelly Ripa looks pretty darn great. Kelly's fit frame has graced the cover of not one, but two fitness magazines. (Though I don't understand why Shape magazine air-brushed Kelly's cute outie belly-button and made it an innie.)

Now, you can try these six moves that help keep Kelly in shape:

• Triceps can-can. Like Kelly, this move is a little quirky and a lot of fun. But it definitely works your triceps, quads, and abs, too.
• Leg raise. You'll need a counter or tall chair for balance with this move, which works your butt and outer thighs.
• Thigh dancing. Definitely unusual, Kelly swears this move works her quads, butt, and abs. We've even got her on video doing this move.
  
• Pretzel. You'll need some balance and flexibility to do this move, which works your butt, thighs, and abs.
• Squat with ball squeeze. If, like Kelly Ripa, you're a parent, you probably have more than your fair share of sports balls around the house. Put one of them to use with this move that works your legs, butt, and inner thighs.
• Rolling crunch. Put a new twist on the standard crunch with this move.

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It's hard to believe that the girl who claimed nothing came between her and her Calvins has anything to worry about body-wise, isn't it? But 20+ years and two kids later, Brooke Shields admits that she has insecurities... just like most of us do. The Lipstick Jungle actress dishes about fitness, confidence, and happiness in the October issue of Shape Magazine.

Body image can affect your health both physically and emotionally. When you strive for an unrealistic goal -- a size your body isn't meant to be or to imitate some picture in a magazine -- you can set yourself up for disappointment. Letting your body image come from any external source is looking at yourself from the wrong perspective. Instead of focusing on any perceived flaws and aiming for unnatural goals, look to fitness and nutrition for one purpose and one purpose only. Health.

When you keep your body fit and strong and nourished with healthful foods, you'll feel the difference in your mood and your energy. Learn to love your body for all the amazing things it does.

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I have to admit, I don't see the draw in energy bars. Personally, I'd rather have a handful of almonds or a piece of fruit if I want a healthful pick-me-up. But many people are fans -- evidenced by the sheer variety that have sprouted up on store shelves everywhere and the fact that Americans spend more than $1.8 billion on bars per year.

If you're a fan of energy bars, you want to be sure that what you're getting is healthful and not just a candy bar in disguise. Many of the energy bars are packaged in ways that make them appear healthful when they're really just high in sugar and calories.

Shape Magazine sampled 17 different energy bars and picked their top five based on taste and nutrition value. So look for these next time you want an energy bar. (Though I still think some natural foods would serve you much better.) As another option, try making your own energy bars.

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Substantial enough to substitute for meat in a meal, eggplant is chock-full of phytonutrients as well as being rich in many vitamins and minerals. Other than in pasta dishes, I haven't cooked much with eggplant in the past. I don't know why... I think it's wonderfully tasty. Baby eggplants are in season right now, so it's the perfect time to try out some new recipes.

Shape Magazine shares a few ideas for trying out this tasty and nutritious food. I love their idea for sauteeing diced baby eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes in olive oil and then baking in the eggplant skin. I think I'll substitute the tomatoes for summer squash. (I'm not a tomato fan... which is too bad because they're so rich in lycopene.) How about you? Do you have any favorite eggplant recipes to share?

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Jacki recently filled us in on seven ways to add years to your life. Shape Magazine gives us some more tips -- this time from Dan Buettner's bestselling book, The Blue Zones. The author traveled around the world to areas known for the long life spans of residents. He observed the people's lifestyles and interviewed centenarians to develop his theories on living a long, full, healthy, and happy life. His tips are:

• Laugh. Laughing is an obvious sign of a good mood -- and it's widely accepted that your mood can affect your health. In addition, laughter can help relax blood vessels which may lead to a lowered risk of high blood pressure.
• Make exercise a part of your routine. The people Buettner interviewed weren't hard-core athletes. Instead, their daily lives were just filled with natural activities such as gardening and walking.
  
• Eat wisely. Enjoy your food and eat appropriate portions.
• Cultivate positive friendships. Choose friends who are supportive and are positive influences in your life.
  
• Live with intention. Find activities that make you happy and really live each moment.
  

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