If you keep up with the tabloids, it seems that many celebrities go from being pregnant or having a few extra pounds on their bodies to super skinny, all within a matter of weeks. The life of a celebrity is probably a lot different than your own life. They need to stay slim to avoid ridicule and are often able to devote a lot of time and money to taking the weight off.

Fad Diets

Fad diets abound among celebrities, among them the Atkins, South Beach and other low-carbohydrate diets. Other celebrities, such as Snooki from MTV’s television show “Jersey Shore,” turn to even more faddish diets, such as the Cookie Diet, to help them lose weight rapidly. On the Cookie Diet, you eat six special cookies a day and one full meal. While weight loss is rapid on such diets, they are not without risk, since you usually are eating far fewer calories than your body needs.

Extreme Exercise

You may not have the time or energy to exercise three hours a day, but many celebrities do. Plenty of stars, such as Jennifer Garner and Gwen Stefani have taken up running to help them shed weight gained during pregnancy. Others, such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Madonna, do a lot of strength training and it shows in the stars’ trim, overly muscular arms. Some celebrities lose weight rapidly by participating in reality shows, such as “Dancing With the Stars” or “Celebrity Fit Club.” This adds a lot of exercise to their daily routine.

Promoting Diet Plans

Diet plans, such as Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers, occasionally hire celebrities that need to lose a few pounds to endorse their products. While the weight loss on these plans may not be rapid in some cases, it is usually dramatic. For instance, singer Jennifer Hudson recently dropped 10 dress sizes on Weight Watchers while actress Valerie Bertinelli lost 40 lbs., and actor Jason Alexander lost 30 lbs. as spokespeople for Jenny Craig.

Risks Vs. Benefits

While celebrity diets and exercise routines can help stars lose weight quickly to play the roles they’ve been cast in or to improve their red carpet image, many of the diet plans involve many risks. According to the “New York Times,” diets, such as the Cookie Diet, that require you to eat fewer than 1,000 calories a day can have a great impact on your health, since they can damage your heart and kidneys. Working out too much can also cause permanent damage, including enlarged veins and heart problems.

Practical Celebrity Tips

You may not be able to drop 10 or more pounds a month, but you can take some practical tips from celebrities and celebrity trainers that can help you lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle, according to “Redbook” magazine. Pay attention to what and when you eat, and be conscious of over eating. Learn to enjoy your workout and appreciate any time you can commit to exercise. Set a weight loss goal and do everything within reason to reach it.