Have you ever wondered how the most gorgeous celebrities maintain their to-die-for shapes?
Yes, there are a handful who take the ''easy (but not exactly safe) way out'' with surgical procedures, but a great majority of them actually work on their bodies. Here is a peek at some of these famous women's cardio routines:
>> Jessica Simpson and Heidi Klum
Both beauties performed intensive cardio and strength training.
Jessica worked her way to a more shapely butt which she needed in the filming of ''Dukes of Hazzard'' while supermodel Heidi had to shed off the fat she gained after giving birth so that she could show off her curves for a Victoria's Secret modeling stint.
>> Angelina Jolie
Before the filming of ''Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life,'' where she performed a lot of stunts herself, Angelina took on a specially-designed regimen that included kickboxing, wall climbing, bungee ballet, and scuba diving.
>> Thalia Sodi
This voluptuous Mexican singer/actress wall-climbs to achieve a firm gluteus. This activity is very demanding and firms up unsightly flabs in your limbs. She also does yoga.
>> Oprah Winfrey
We've seen her weight yo-yo through the years -- from unhealthy-looking obesity to an alarming thinness. Today she has found her middle ground, and certainly looks like the millions of dollars she's actually worth!
Oprah follows a strict diet and exercise regimen: six days of cardio and six days of strength training, plus outdoor activities on Sundays.
>> ''Friends'' co-stars Courtney Cox and Jennifer Anniston
These charming gals practice a mix of martial arts and yoga to achieve those enviable bodies we see on TV.
>> Jessica Alba
One of the ''most searched'' on the Internet and currently also a top-grosser in poster sales, this star of the blockbuster movie ''The Fantastic Four'' used to have big self-image issues, coming from a heavily overweight family.
She has admitted to having an eating disorder years back, but is now on the right track with a daily 45-60 minute workout routine. She starts out by working the elliptical machine or the treadmill for 10 to 15 minutes until her heart rate goes up to about 180 bpm. This is followed by 50 crunches and lunges, before she returns to the machine for an additional 10 minutes.
>> Meg Ryan, Julianne Moore, and Reese Witherspoon
They all follow a strict diet plus a combination of 6 days of cardio and 5 days of weight training.
>> Jennifer Lopez
Aside from a clean lifestyle (she neither smokes nor drinks), this sultry singer/actress maintains her ''legendary backside'' with this routine: On a power treadmill, reach the speed you regularly work with after a brief warm-up.
Next, begin to increase the incline one grade at a time until you reach that point where you feel uncomfortable. Afterwards, do the reverse and start descending one grade at a time. Devote about 20 minutes for an entire cycle to tone your muscles and burn a considerable amount of calories.
Although they do their cardio year-round, celebrities work doubly hard in the weeks leading up to a special event, such as the Oscars, as it's the most anticipated season of ''showing the world what you've got.''
You, too, can use their techniques if you're gearing up for a wedding, an awards night, or a class reunion!
Simply follow these steps:
About 2 weeks prior to the event, increase your exercise duration (add about 15 minutes per session), intensity (go up the levels when using machines), and frequency (do your cardio at least 5-6 times a week). One week before the event, pay special attention to your diet. Cut down on alcohol, salt, and sugar to help you look and feel lean. Doing so will also provide you with that much-needed energy for your more intensive workouts. The day before the event, take in only complex carbs and lean protein. Don't consume too much fruit and vegetables to keep from feeling gassy and bloated. On the day itself, it won't hurt to take a brisk walk for about 30-45 minutes. It would be better to walk along a hilly trail to tighten your legs and burn more calories.
When you do your cardio daily, having a celebrity body will only be icing on the cake. The most important thing is that as your heart, lungs, and muscles improve their performance, you'll inevitably feel good about yourself.
