Celebrity Gossip

This is the first in a series of articles exploring the exercises techniques I use to train my clients. Typically I train performance athletes like football players, pro surfers, water polo players and competitive fitness professionals. My clientele also consists of “average Joe’s” and housewives trying to get in and/or stay in shape.

If you saw Rachael Carr walking down the street, you might think that you know her. But it isn’t her face that’s familiar – it’s various parts of her body! Carr, 29, is a stunt double to the stars, which means you’ve probably seen her belly, bust, or bottom on screen or in print.

Have you heard of The Bar Method? It’s the slight movement workout that will leave your entire body hurtin’, but wanting more. More intense than Pilates or Yoga, the Bar Method is a routine that’s designed to work every muscle group in your body – and celebrities like Kelly Ripa and Drew Barrymore swear by it. Ripa even had news hunk Anderson Cooper sweating on the studio floor in an on-air workout.

Obi Obadike, Francisca Dennis, Inside Fitness, and Paul Dillett of the WBFF have made history by helping to produce the first Black male and female fitness model couple on the cover of a Canadian Fitness Magazine. Obi and Francisca were featured on the Winter issue of Inside Fitness, which is the #1 fitness magazine in Canada.

Obi Obadike, as you may know, is a major contributor over at our sister site, ClarkBartram.com. His quick rise in the fitness modeling has caused him to receive a lot of attention and we’re sure to see more of him in the future.

The next time you’re desperately trying a new diet or attempting to quench a craving with a quirky trick, remember this: no matter what lengths you go to in order to lead a healthy lifestyle, there’s always someone who’s even crazier than you. Food for thought:

• Julia Roberts eats on only blue plates in her home. Research has demonstrated that the color blue is an appetite suppressant.

How does “The Hills” star Lauren Conrad stay so slim? One of her secrets is the food she buys. Laguna Beach alum LC was recently spotted at Whole Foods Market in Los Angeles, making her weekly grocery pickup.

Most women hit the treadmill or elliptical to drop their pregnancy poundage. But Gwen Stefani’s not like most women. The rock star (and mom to sons Kingston, 2, and newborn Zuma) has taken up boxing to shed her baby weight. In addition to her busy parenting and professional schedule, Gwen works out three times per week with her personal trainer.

Madonna’s turning 50, but the Material Girl doesn’t look a day over 35. How does she stay so youthful and keep that toned body? There are a couple of secrets to her success: a no-excuses ethic, long hours, and Tracy Anderson. Tracy is a revolutionary personal trainer who Gwyneth Paltrow turned to after the birth of son Moses in 2006. Desperate to lose the final ten pounds of her pregnancy weight, Tracy helped Gwyneth get back in shape for her return to the big screen in Iron Man. When Gwyneth recommended Tracy to Madonna, it was the perfect fit.

Well, Britney’s gone and done it again – but no ‘oops’ this time. No, the pop diva isn’t making headlines for another fender bender or neglectful parenting episode – she’s back in the spotlight because she’s slimmed down and looking the fittest she’s ever been in her entire life. After two kids and the dramatic tailspin she’s lived for the last couple of years, it’s impressive and inspiring that Ms. Spears has been able to triumph and beat her personal battle of the bulge.

Jennifer Lopez

Singer. Actress. Producer. Designer. New mom to twins. Triathlete? Yep, Jennifer Lopez is adding yet another role to her dizzying schedule. Just six months after giving birth to babies Max and Emme with husband Marc Anthony, Lopez competed in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon with Self Magazine Editor in Chief, Lucy Danziger, who helped the celebrity train for her first ever race.

This week, everyone’s buzzing about Dancing with the Stars – but it’s not about which contestant was most recently eliminated. The gossip centers around professional dancer Cheryl Burke, who won top honors in seasons 2 and 3 of the reality hit with partners Drew Lachey and Emmett Smith, respectively. The 24-year-old dancer has previously been named San Francisco Latin Champion and World Cup Professional Rising Star Champion, and recently opened her own dance studio.

When you look at Halle Berry today, it’s hard to imagine the beauty as anything other than 100% healthy. But back in 1989, Berry passed out and fell into a diabetic coma while working on the set of her first television show, Living Dolls. Berry remained in the coma for seven days, and when she woke up, she was told that she had been diagnosed with diabetes and was at serious risk for losing her eyesight or even her legs. Scared into action, Berry took a hard look at her lifestyle and made some serious changes.

The days of Brenda and Brandon Walsh are decidedly over. No matter what your take on 90210 2.0 is, chances are you’ve noticed a few major differences between the ‘classic’ cast and 2008’s new crew. Though some changes are positive (The Wire’s Tristan Wilds adds some much-needed diversity) some are downright unhealthy, like the weight of two of the show’s leading ladies.

Cycling fans everywhere were in for a shock this week as the buzz surrounding cycling champion and cancer survivor and research advocate Lance Armstrong confirmed that he will be returning to professional cycling. The seven-time Tour de France winner has kept himself busy since retiring in 2005.

When designer Marc Jacobs began his second stint in rehab last March, he knew exactly what people were thinking. Drugs and alcohol would always be a vice for the outspoken creative. But this time around, something was different. Jacobs says he simply traded one vice for another, but so far, the change seems to be a good one. He’s become an addict – a gym addict!