Celebrity Diet Secrets Spilled

 

Ginnifer Goodwin: Lifetime WW member?

Ginnifer Goodwin says she's been using the Weight Watchers program since she was 9 years old, talk about starting young. However, it was less about losing weight and more about eating healthy. Experts say kids can use programs like these (since they promote healthy lifestyle choices over calorie restricting), but parents should be careful to call it "being healthy" as opposed to "dieting." (Source: NY Daily News)

Reality-Check: Ferrin says that weight loss is a process of learning to control your cravings and focusing on food that is good for you and nutritious. So maybe Goodwin just got a headstart on all of us who spent our elementary school days chowing on happy meals.

Martial arts got Olivia in shape

Olivia Wilde's costume in the new "Tron" movie makes a wet suit look like a parka, so you better believe she got in majorly-good shape to prepare. How she did it: A mix of cardio, martial arts and cutting out bread and alcohol from her diet (she's already a vegan so there wasn't much else to eliminate). (Source: Access Hollywood)

Reality Check: Alcohol is just empty calories, so if you normally drink a lot you could see some weight loss from quitting. However any diet that totally cuts out a food group (no bread?!) can be hard to maintain long-term. However, Ferrin is a fan of her regular workouts, saying "Regular exercise will slow and even reverse the aging process. All your body functions will be enhanced by a regular program that allows for aerobic exercise as well as endurance and strength exercises."

Can you picture Amy Adams pole dancing?!

Amy Adams claims she took pole dancing classes to lose weight after having her baby, since she hates the treadmill (can't blame her). (Source: Daily Mail UK)

Reality Check: It may not be the most traditional workout, but anything that gets you moving is a plus. Simpson recommends though that a busy mom like Adams try "smart snacking" to keep her energy up. "Look for whole grain crackers with nut butter (almond, peanut or cashew). Or go for all-natural protein/energy bars. Make sure they have between 10 to 15 grams of protein, 5 grams of fat and 20 grams of carbs."
 

Gwyneth Paltrow's fried chicken diet

After training for "Iron Man 2," Gwyneth Paltrow was rivaling Madonna in buff-ness. But her character in "Country Strong" was meant to look a little more, uh, normal. So the director told Paltrow to soften up. She says she lessened her exercise routine and ate tons of fried food (chicken, fish, fries) to look less toned. How'd you like that to be your job? (Source: Daily Mail UK)

Reality Check: You do need fat to survive, it's actually pretty important. But while a diet of fried chicken might sound incredibly-insanely-awesome, Ferrin recommends you choose better fats instead. Think nuts, avocados and olive oil over greasy chicken skin or French fries.

Elizabeth Hurley is starving

Elizabeth Hurley claims that she only eats one meal a day and is often hungry. I'm guessing she's pretty cranky too -- I know I would be on so little food. (Source: ABC News)

Reality Check: A food-free diet might have you shedding pounds initially, but Ferrin says it's terrible for you in the long term. "Once your body goes into an extreme caloric restriction, or 'starvation mode,' the reverse process of weight loss takes place. This means that your body will actually store fat in anticipation of starvation." The moral here: don't starve yourself, OK?

Beyonce gives in to the master cleanse

Tons of celebrities, from Beyonce to Gwyneth Paltrow, Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, have said they do cleanses like the "master cleanse." Beyonce says that's how she shed 20 pounds for "Dreamgirls." What's a cleanse? Basically you consume little more than lemon water, cayenne pepper and maple syrup for a few days -- sounds fun, doesn't it? (Source: ABC News)

Reality Check: Most doctors say cleanses aren't necessarily harmful, but also not necessary for your health (our bodies are perfectly capable of flushing out toxins on their own, thank you very much). And while you might lose some weight initially, you're likely to gain it all back once you start eating normally again. Simpson recommends, "avoiding crash diets. Instead of cutting back foods, try looking for nutritionally balanced foods -- complex carbs, healthy fats, antioxidants and water-packed foods." She also suggests trying a nutritional supplement so you still get your vitamins while restricting calories.

Brooke Burke credits pilates

In case you can't tell by the picture here, Brooke Burke looks freaking amazing for 40. She says she stays in shape by sticking to the "Mediterranean diet," running on the treadmill and doing pilates. (Source: Shape)

Reality Check: Burke is a pretty great example of the healthy way to stay in shape. Ferrin offers some guidance for anyone looking to copy her: "Exercise must be regular and for a specific duration of time. Minimum 3 to 5 days per week for periods of no less than 45 minutes. There should always be a warm up period of 10 to 15 minutes and a stretching period especially after the work-out is completed."

Padma Lakshmi gains 15 pounds on "Top Chef"

Not too surprising: "Top Chef" host and judge Padma Lakshmi says she gains between 10 and 15 pounds by the end of each season. After filming ends, she doesn't opt for a crash diet to lose it all -- instead she says she goes slow and steady, cuts back on alcohol, adds lots of veggies and uses spices to season her food (studies have shown that you eat less when food is spicier). She doesn't restrict any foods and tries to exercise regularly. (Source: ABC News)

Reality Check: Ferrin and Simpson would totally be on board with this plan. "The best advice is to always monitor excess carbohydrates, favor protein in your diet and consume only healthy and natural fats," Ferrin says.

Denise Richards has all her food delivered

Some celebrities, like Denise Richards and Uma Thurman, opt to have food delivery services bring them all their meals. (Source: SheKnows.com)

Reality Check: The pros: You get healthy, pre-portioned meals so you don't have to think about anything. The cons: It's crazy-expensive and once you go back to normal food you're likely to gain back the weight. Instead, Ferrin stresses that losing weight and staying healthy is all about changing your lifestyle choices, learning to eat better foods and stay active.

Jessica Simpson fights to get in shape

Jessica Simpson's weight has run the gamut and it seems like the tabloids are just waiting to see if she's going to gain or lose a few pounds. It's hard to say what impact it's having, but Simpson claims her latest exercise routine is boxing. (Source: Us Magazine)

Reality Check: Boxing can be a great form of exercise, but no matter what you do, it's important to keep it up. However, Ferrin does have a tip to get more bang for your buck with workouts: "The best time of day to workout is early morning, before breakfast." He says this time of day works best with your hormones and insulin levels to attack fat and build muscle. Score!