Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Want to know the secrets of the stars? Bi-weekly our That's Fit fitness expert Fitz sits down with the celebs we want to know more about, and digs out their great and not-so-great methods to staying healthy.

Kellie Pickler has gone through a wicked physical transition of the past few years. When she auditioned to appear on American Idol, at five feet tall, she weighed in as a featherweight 100 pounds. But by the time the competition and Idol tour was over, she had packed on 28 pounds in less than a year. That's a lot of weight on a very little person. The weight gain made Kellie feel bad, but one fellow celebrity (whom most people love and adore) helped her see the light and lose the weight. Read on to hear her story.

Fitz: Your body has changed a ton since you landed in the spotlight. Tell me about that.

Kellie: Oh my goodness! My body has made a big transformation. When I auditioned for Idol I was only 100 pounds and kind of riding on "the young card." Although I exercised a ton, I think I stayed thin because I was ... young! But my eating habits on Idol and the during the tour became terrible. We were always eating fast food on the road and having late night munchies. I gained 28 pounds in less than a year!

Fitz: How'd you take it off?

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Ordering the large size might be the best deal for your wallet, but it's the worst deal for your waistline.

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Chances are you have a few mini candy bars hanging around your house -- maybe from your little ghosts and goblins who raided the neighborhood Friday night or maybe they're just left over from the gobs of goods you distributed to those who came knocking on your front door. Regardless, you've got them. Might as well eat them, right? I mean, they're mini. How dangerous can they be?

They're tricky, those mini-packs, says RealAge, and you'd be wise to get rid of them -- and fast. You're far better off taking a handful of candy from a big bag instead. Why? Because it's easier to overindulge on those Halloween-sized packages. In one recent study, people concerned about their waistlines ate more high-calorie snacks when given small bags than when given big ones.

Seems weight-conscious people view smaller portions of candy as healthier, which leads to overeating. But big bags -- well, people watching their weight are less likely to even open them. This is interesting, though: Those not concerned about gaining weight don't necessarily go overboard with small sweets. It's only the weight-concerned folks who fall into this trap. But don't think the not-concerned ones are eating any healthier -- they're just grabbing from the big bags.

And you? Are you a small snack person? Or do you go for the big bag?

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I'm training a woman right now who walked through my door several weeks ago nearing 300 pounds. I'll call her Crystal. At her morbidly obese weight, Crystal was desperate to lose about 150 pounds. One goal: To be able to sit on the floor with her kids.

Ever think your weight might spiral so completely out of control that you wouldn't be able to do something so simple? Neither did she. But it happens all the time. Here comes the great news.

Crystal found herself kickboxing with me on my heavy bag that first day. Since then, she's learned an arsenal of strikes and has been more mobile in the past three weeks than she has in the past few years. Could this be you?

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Ah, the power of food. Even small portions of food have power, like small salads.

Small salads eaten just before a meal can keep your knees and hands free of arthritis. It's the vitamin K found in leafy greens like cabbage, spinach, and swiss chard that reduces the risk of joint damage.

Here's what science says about this salad scoop: Those with higher blood levels of vitamin K have significantly less chance of developing bone spurs and cartilage damage, common complaints of those with painful osteoarthritis. Hands seem to benefit the most, but knees get a dose of protection too.

Once word of caution before you mix up those greens: if you are on blood thinners, check with your doctor to determine how much vitamin K is appropriate for you.

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One writer over at College Candy says the season is ripe for muffin tops -- not the actual tops of actual muffins, but the excess skin that hangs over the tops of shorts, pants, and skirts when these items of clothing are just a tad too small. This problem, coined the One-Size-Too-Small Syndrome by said writer, affects lots of college-aged girls (one might argue it affects more than just college girls) and should not be mistaken for an overeating problem at all. It's clearly a size issue. You can be a size four and still have a muffin top. All it takes is a size two piece of clothing to cause this all-too-annoying problem.

This female writer from NYU knows what's it like: "I'm definitely not a tiny girl by any means, and I completely understand the battle with body image," she says. "I get a little unhappy anytime I have to purchase something in a large instead of a medium, but if the medium makes me look like a sausage trying to escape its skin, is it really worth wearing? Is it really going to look like you're a size medium to anyone but yourself? Of course not! I may groan when I have to reach for a size larger in that cute little dress or jeans but if it lays just right and fits as intended, so be it."

NYU girl draws from comments made by Stacy London of What Not to Wear when she makes these points: (1) The only person who sees the size of your clothing is you. (2) What matters is the look and if you can pull it off. (3) If you must go up a size to look like you can breathe (or to actually be able to breathe), then bite the bullet and do it.

I get it -- I'm all about feeling good in my clothes. And as for breathing: It's a must have for me. How about you?

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Everyone of course! I recently returned from a fabulous vacation with my family at Walt Disney World in Florida. Our six-day adventure was non-stop fun, and a major highlight of this trip were our days at the Disney water parks. We enjoyed both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon to the max and would love to go back every sunny day of the year.

I had a little sad moment though as I chatted with a father of two little ones in the kiddie section of Blizzard Beach. We were commenting on what a challenge it was to keep perfect track of our children in such a busy, water-filled place. The poor guy told me he was alone with his children, because his wife didn't feel like she could go out in public in her swimsuit. He didn't want the kids to miss out on the water fun, so he took them himself. She stayed back at their resort.

It made me amazingly sad to think that this woman felt so uncomfortable in her skin that she couldn't even enjoy a beautiful day with her family at a ridiculously perfect place. I know we all feel self conscious at times (including me). And even as my profession is to educate and inspire others to be more fit ... I wouldn't want anyone to place their life on hold because of their body shape or size. That woman is a really special part of her family, and I imagine they missed her very much.

I know, getting started on a path to exercise can be daunting. After a recent surgery and nearly six workout-free weeks, I'm about to whip my body back into shape, and I tell you, it seems like a major undertaking. But I'm trying to think small – small steps, small goals, small successes. Over time, they'll all translate into big results but for now, small is more manageable.

These Woman's Day magazine tips are helping me keep my cool, my focus, my conviction that in time, I'll be back in the fitness game. See if they help you too.

• In 15 minutes, you can walk one mile, take 2,000 steps, and burn 100 calories.

• One hour of vigorous exercise can add two hours to your life.

• It takes only about three weeks to establish a habit, so by the end of one month, exercise can be a for-sure part of your routine. And mine too.
  

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About 10 years ago, I stopped drinking soda. I lost seven pounds. The soda eventually crept back into my diet. One year ago, I stopped drinking it again. I ditched sweets too. I lost 15 pounds.

Is there one habit you can eliminate from your diet? A candy dish on your desk you could trash? A morning stop for doughnuts you could do without? A late-night dish of ice cream you could trade for a bowl of fresh fruit? Surely, there's something you can get rid of. Surely, you'll see results when you do.

Fitness magazine asks a few women in their May 2008 issue about small changes they've made in their lives that delivered great gains. One women nixed alcohol for one month. Social drinking was her diet downfall. She'd end up having a dozen beers while mixing with friends, and it always led to snacking on junk food. While this gal says she won't give up alcohol for good, she does plan to minimize her intake, for the sake of her health.

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Today, due to a sudden onslaught of severe hunger, I headed to a nearby restaurant for a satisfying lunch. I ordered something healthy -- chicken, veggies and rice -- and was amazed at the amount of food they brought out. It took serious muscle to lift that plate. It was literally overflowing with food. Despite being famished, I could only eat a third of what was on my plate, and I felt grossly full afterwards.

My point? Restaurant sizes are way too big these days. Avoid overeating by making smarter -- and smaller -- choices. Some suggestions? Order off the kids menu (if they'll let you), ask for a half portion, opt for an appetizer instead of an entree or go for a side salad with some sort of lean meat. You might think it won't be enough, but I bet you'll be surprised -- it doesn't take much to satisfy hunger without feeling too full.

And next time you head out for a meal with the girls? Choose a tapas place where you can choose from a selection of appetizer-sized meals.

A small study of 100 participants conducted by the chairman of the Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, India found long-term cell phone users who chatted on their mobile for an hour or more a day, were more likely to suffer from high-frequency hearing loss.

Users who had their phones for four years or more were most effected, while those who had only had their mobiles for two years were less likely to have problems. According to the article, those suffering from high-frequency hearing loss have trouble hearing consonants like s, f, t and z.

It's important to keep in mind though, that the study is small and the researcher who conducted it points out that a much larger study and more research needs to be done before any definitely links or conclusions can be drawn. So don't panic, but maybe try not to chat on your phone for hours on end either.

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I just can't do it. I can't eat chocolate. If I do, the floodgates will open, and I won't be able to stop. My husband, who is accompanying me on my latest health kick, is able to have just one bite and be happy. In fact, his doctor just recently congratulated him on his recent weight loss and then told him as he headed out the door, "Don't forget to eat some chocolate now and then." He was thrilled.

What, an invitation to eat chocolate? Yes, indeed. And this doctor isn't the only one touting the merits of chocolate. Now we're talking mostly dark chocolate here -- it happens to be my hubby's favorite -- and the talk goes something like this: Eating a small, 1.6-ounce bar of dark chocolate every day is good for you.

Clinical trials have shown dark chocolate and its healthy flavonoids improve blood vessel functioning. Better blood flow is good for your heart. Thus, chocolate is good for you. And guess what? Dark chocolate contains more flavonoids than any other food, including green tea, black tea, red wine, and blueberries. It's plant-derived after all, just like fruits and veggies. Here's the catch, though -- while more is better with fruits and vegetables, only a small amount of chocolate is healthy. Which is why I can't indulge. A 1.6-ounce bar just wouldn't be enough.

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Here's a new idea on how to cute calories: eat like a kid! Kids don't have adult-sized appetites, so their snacks and meals always come in smaller packages -- and ordering from the kids menu is an instant, painless way to control your portions. And let's face it -- portion control is a problem for many of us adults. Children don't have the same issue -- they just stop eating when their full.

Say, for instance, you're on a road trip and find yourself with no other option but the local fast-food joint. Instead of super-sizing, downsize by ordering from the kids menu. You'll cut out a ton of calories and you'll have eaten just enough food to be satisfied. And your local supermarket is bound to offer lots of awesome kids' snacks that you can carry in your purse for a quick energy fix. Prevention Magazine list some here.

What's your favourite pint-sized snack?

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A couple of scientists from Israel have achieved what until now has only been possible in the movies -- a miniature robot capable of traveling through human blood vessels. Measuring only 1 millimeter, it's a small hub with legs designed to grip and crawl through blood vessels without getting swept away. Doctors can control the little robot indefinitely from the outside for different medical procedures, although they have yet to figure out what exactly they'll use them for. As of now, they're thinking small armies of bots sent in to battle internal cancers.

Would you be up for it? What if one of the little buggers gets stuck?

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Do you blame your metabolism for whatever it is you do or don't like about yourself? You'd be surprised at how much control you actually have over the amount of calories you burn throughout the day. Click here for a fabulous article which details how to manipulate your lifestyle in order to turn your body into a furnace. No gimmicks. No scams. Just beautiful science. Have a looksy and learn how to master your metabolism.

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