Check out our Diet Reviews on AOL Health!

celebrities-related stories

Sculpt Yourself a Star Body

Fitness

jennifer garner

Photo: Gabriel Bouys, Getty Images

While some stars are airbrushed on the covers of magazines, other celebrities work hard for their sculpted bodies. CafeMom shares a few secrets of celebrity trainers so that you, too, can rock a hot red-carpet bod.

Check out the featured CafeMom video (via Self.com) to zero in on your abs, arms, thighs and butts in the privacy of your own home -- and with no high-tech special equipment. Hand weights and/or resistance tubing is all you should need. Add to your regular workout routine 10 reps of each exercise, and do two sets. Who knows, you might end up resembling the likes of Jennifer Garner, Jessica Biel and Jennifer Lopez.

And then there's Michelle Obama -- now, she could teach you a thing or two about getting fit.

Hottest Celebrity Arms, Timeless Beauty, Exercises for Chronic Pain: Links We Love

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness

We at That's Fit and AOL Health know you've got a lot going on in your lives besides staying in great shape, and we realize that more than just diet and exercise goes into feeling your best every day. That's why we're sharing some of the exciting reporting going on at AOL Health.

The first lady isn't the only leading woman with lean arms. Check out this photo gallery of our favorite famous guns -- and learn how to get the look.

Just what does it take to attain timeless beauty? From Marilyn to Twiggy, AOL Health reveals the diet and exercise routines that helped them achieve their famous shapes.

If your aches and pains make you feel decades older than your peers, you may not be exaggerating. Recent research reveals that a 50-year-old living with chronic pain may have a body that looks similar to a pain-free 75-year-old. AOL Health offers exercises and nutrition advice to help treat your problem.

Celebrity Diet Pill Poppers - This Week on AOL Health

Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment

khloe and kim kardashian
Photo: Joe Cohen, WireImage
In the past we've delivered you experts' crash diets, this week AOL Health takes a look at celebrity quick fixes for weight loss, reviewing what pills and supplements they've tried -- and which, if any, are safe. Among the famous pill-poppers and their weight-loss aid of choice, are the Kardashian sisters (who we've told you all about on That's Fit) and QuickTrim, Wynonna and alli, and more.

Would you ever consider a weight-loss drug? Does FDA approval matter to you? Tell us what you think in a comment below.

Female Hair Loss, Uncontrollable Eating and Celeb Abs - Links We Love

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness

We at That's Fit and AOL Health know you've got a lot going on in your lives besides staying in great shape, and we realize that more than just diet and exercise goes into feeling your best every day. That's why we're sharing some of the exciting reporting going on at AOL Health.

That's right ladies, hair loss isn't just a guy thing -- some experts believe that dramatically-thinning hair is as common in women as it is in men. Find out why, who's likely to be affected by it and what you can do to preserve your locks.

Uncontrollable hunger and a sluggish metabolism -- sounds like any of us on a bad day, right? For some, it's a constant way of life. This week on AOL Health we examine the condition -- known medically as Prader-Willi syndrome -- and how one woman lives her life feeling like she's always starving.

You probably think you're pretty savvy about your favorite stars, but could you pick their tummies out of a lineup? Take our quiz to determine your "Celeb Ab Q."

Beyoncé's Backside Secret - Taking The Stairs

Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment

beyonce
Photo: Getty Images

She has one of showbiz's most famous backsides -- so how does Beyoncé Knowles do it? If you ask her, it's a combination of a couple of things: Good genes, and lots of stairs. The 27-year-old singer recently told FemaleFirst that climbing her way up (literally) is how she tones her tush -- "After New Year I do stairs - they are the best thing for butt cheeks."

She might be on to something. According to Reader's Digest, climbing stairs for two minutes a day, five days a week, gives you the equivalent of a 20-minute walk in terms of how many calories you'll burn (100 to 140 to be precise). OK, that doesn't seem like much when it's stretched over a week, but it goes to show that a little bit every day can really add up. What about if you have more than two minutes to work out in a day? Try the stair climber at your gym -- 20 minutes of moderate climbing will burn around 200 calories. And if toning up isn't enough motivation, consider this -- recent studies found that climbing the stairs on a regular basis can actually save your life. Those who regularly elected to walk up rather than take the elevator were shown to have lower blood pressure, cholesterol and body fat.

Stairs not your thing? Don't worry -- there are plenty of other exercises that will give you a good derriere. But if you're looking for an easy, free way to burn a few extra calories, look no further than the door next to the elevator.

Play With Your Ponytail

Fitness

That smooth, sleek ponytail you've been sporting almost every day, all summer long, looks great -- it's polished, stays out of your way and, most important, is easy. But you have to admit that it's one other thing, too: Boring. Even if you only pony up for the gym, isn't there a part of you that wants some variation? And if you're wearing the same old pulled-back hair for every event you attend this summer, well, it's high time to mix things up.

nicole richie jessica alba braids
Nicole Richie and Jessica Alba have both embraced the braid. Photos: Getty Images
First of all, braids are back in a big way. They've been showing up all over Hollywood, even on the red carpet. Nicole Richie is a total pro at braiding a few strands in the front, then pinning them back into a twist in the back. Notice, these aren't even French braids; just regular ones, but they make a simple hairstyle look like so much more.

Jessica Alba shows a style that can work for even the shorter-haired among us -- a French braid starting a little farther over than your part. Braid it across to the other side and tuck behind your ear or pin back into a ponytail. It'll keep your hair out of your face but make you look super stylish at the same time. One thing to remember -- this shouldn't be too precious. If it's a little bumpy and messy, it only makes it better!

Chubby Celebrities - Do They Make Us Fat?

Celebs & Entertainment

woman reading a magazine
Photo: slava/Flickr
Super-skinny models and celebrities have long taken some of the blame for eating disorders. When inundated with image after image of rail-thin waifs, it's human nature to compare your own body to those you see in magazines or on the screen. But does the flip side of that coin hold true? Do overweight celebrities give us the green light to be overweight too?

Obesity expert Michael McMahon thinks so. "The increasing profile of larger celebrities means that being overweight is now perceived as being 'normal' in the eyes of the public," McMahon told the Daily Mail. "We talk about the dangers of skinny media images, but the problem actually swings both ways."

We're drawn to celebrities, particularly when there's something about them that we find relatable. But what we see on glossy magazine pages isn't always the full truth. Super-thin celebrities are often airbrushed to portray a level of perfection even they can't achieve. What's more, like Natasha Henstridge recently admitted, the measures that celebrities take to stay skinny are often damaging to their health. And overweight celebrities have their fair share of issues, too. Nia Vardalos had blood sugar issues and Kevin Smith had a wake-up call when his doctor told him he was morbidly obese.

Our interest in celebrities should be just that -- an interest, but certainly not a lifestyle guide. When it comes to your weight, decisions should be made solely for the sake of your health. We each have to be responsible for our own health -- seeking advice from real medical experts, and not someone from Seattle Grace.

Do images of celebrities inspire you to lose/gain weight?

Source

Rosario Hoofs it and Brooke Shares Regrets - June 5 to June 11

Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment



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!

Rosario Hoofs it and Brooke Shares Regrets

    Which celebrity dieter are you? AOL Health has the answer -- check it out and see if you agree!

    Getty Images

    At 44, Teri Hatcher looks anything but desperate. People magazine reports that she does it through a healthy diet, at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, and following through on fitness goals.

    Getty Images

    Stop the presses: Lauren Conrad and Lo Bosworth are having a disagreement! And it's over something near and dear to many of our hearts -- spinning.

    Getty Images

    Brooke Shields looks amazing to us, but back in college, she used an extra 20 pounds as a wall because of her lack of self confidence. Who would've guessed?

    Getty Images

    Not willing to waste a beautiful day, Rosario Dawson is inspired by the beautiful L.A. weather to get outside and be active, walking and riding her bike as often as possible.

    Getty Images

Which Celebrity Dieter Are You? This Week on AOL Health

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment


Oprah Winfrey
They may have access to fancy gyms, trainers and personal chefs (and they may have more incentive to look great all the time), but when it comes to eating right and staying in shape, celebrities have more in common with you than you think. Take our celebrity diet match to find your Hollywood dieter alter ego. [Just a head's up, this is our new application on Facebook, so clicking on this link will take you to Facebook.]

Become a fan of AOL Health and That's Fit on Facebook.

You Don't Turn to the Stars for Inspiration

Your Turn, Motivation

your turn

I'll admit it. When I'm about to check out at the grocery store, I'll slip a People magazine into the cart. I love reading about celebrity stories, and I find their weight loss and fitness success stories inspiring. Sure, their abs might look a bit more chiseled, thanks to Photoshop, but I still love to sneak a peek into celebrity health habits.

After asking you how you felt about celebrity fitness stories, however, I found out that I'm in the minority. Here's what you had to say:

  • 30 percent of you couldn't care less about celebrities, how much weight they've lost or what their workout routine is.
  • 25 percent of you think they're all airbrushed, so why would celebrity stories inspire you?
  • Another 25 percent of you aren't inspired by celebrities, but you do find their stories interesting.
  • But 20 percent of you do love to read celebrity health and fitness stories.

Tracy Anderson - Weight Loss Tips for New Moms

Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment

tracy andersonWhen Gwyneth Paltrow gave birth to her second child, Moses, she turned to one person to help her get body back -- Tracy Anderson. (Though in Gwyneth's case, I'm not sure she ever lost her body. Have you ever seen an ounce of fat on that girl?)

In any case, it was a partnership that changed both their lives. Gwynny got her post-baby body firmed right up, and Tracy's honing her trainer-to-the-stars reputation. Luckily, you don't have to be a star to learn from Tracy, though. She's got a collection of fitness DVDs, including a new one for post-partum moms.

Tracy Anderson recently talked to Cookie about her own hot-mom secrets. Here are some tidbits:

Source

The Jessica Simpson Workout Video That Never Was

Celebs & Entertainment

jessica simpsonEarlier this week, Ashlee Simpson wanted everyone to quit talking about sister Jessica's weight.

She got her wish.

Instead of trying to decide whether Jessica's put on too much weight or just needs a new stylist, everyone has turned their attention to her disastrous attempt at a weight-loss video. Jessica recorded the Speedfit DVD in 2005, but instead of straight-to-DVD ... it went straight into the garbage can.

According to sources, both Jessica and her daddy were pretty hard to work with and are now refusing to come back and re-shoot footage. That's probably why Speedfit owner Alex Astilean is suing them for $10 million. One unnamed source goes so far to say that this fitness DVD would sell better than her videos, but not because they'll help anyone get fit ... but because they'll make Jessica look worse than a pair of high-waisted jeans.

So who will win? That remains to be seen, but according to the bonus audio in this video, Papa Joe plays hardball.

Jessica Simpson - Does She Look Fat?(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Jessica SimpsonJessica SimpsonJessica SimpsonJessica SimpsonJessica Simpson

Source

Ice Cream, Burgers and Pasta - 12 Stars Reveal Their Diet Derailers

Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements


Diet derailers are everywhere -- in your house, in the grocery store, at work, at play, in your head even. Here, we'll address the very things that throw us off course. Together, we'll learn how to avoid our diet traps -- and how to get back on track when we can't.

The list of diet derailers goes on. and on. and on. It never stops, really, because what destroys one diet might be very different from what tanks another. There just might be as many diet crushers as there are people living on this planet. I mean, look at all the culprits we covered in 2008. And already in 2009, we've talked resolutions, fast food and weekends -- each one ripe for wrecking a good diet.

Forget everyone on the planet for now. Let's talk celebrities (they're way more fun) and what derails their diets. Because believe it or not, stars splurge too (not very often from the looks of most of them) and I, for one, am curious about what sinful favorites might morph their famous physiques into famous fat. Check out the gallery below, because People magazine has the scoop.

Diet Derailers of the Stars(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Jenny McCarthyCarrie UnderwoodVanessa HudgensJennifer MorrisonOlivia Wilde

If your diet is on the path of destruction and you're dying to get it back on track, check out America Takes It Off by clicking on the badge below.

Source

Emma Thompson Snags Madonna's Trainer and Ellen Degeneres Goes Veg - January 17 to January 23

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment


emma thompsonmarisa millerbarack obama
brody jennerchristie brinkleypatrick dempsey
ellen degeneres and portia de rossikaycee strohuma thurman
You know, even though celebrities can afford the best trainers and chefs, top equipment, and fabulously fresh food, staying fit isn't all fun and games. Keeping track of what your favorite stars do to stay in shape isn't easy, either -- and that's why we do a round-up each week of what the healthiest, fittest stars are doing.

Just click on the picture of your favorite stars above to see what he or she has been up to lately!

Sundance Film Festival Gets Fit

Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment

Nick CannonI know it's hard to feel sorry for celebrities, but imagine this -- your job is dependent upon you looking good, but, another part of your job is to attend premieres, awards ceremonies, and festivals, all of which basically require you to drink lots of champagne and eat out at celebratory dinners with your costars. Oh, and being famous, you can't use the hotel gym without getting mobbed. How do you stay fit during awards season?

This year, Gatorade is trying to help the stars attending the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah by providing the first ever full-service fitness center, named the G Gym. Nick Cannon and Eliza Dushku are just a couple of celebrities who have already taken advantage of the opportunity to stay in shape. And, said celebs have the chance to help raise some money for charity at the same time.

Celebrities can schedule appointments with top trainers (like my personal fave, Gunnar Peterson) at the facility, which is stocked with state-of-the-art equipment, space for yoga/meditation, and a fully stocked Gatorade drink bar (natch), which will come in especially handy as most of these A-listers aren't used to working out at such a high altitude.
Featured Writers
Bob GreeneReggie Casagrande
Bob Greene
Jonny BowdenJohn GanonJonny Bowden

Tanya ZuckerbrotFadil BerishaTanya Zuckerbrot
Liz Neporent Liz Neporent