Britney Spear's ex goes for buff...

Kevin Federline has turned his hand to most things. He's been a rapper, a backing dancer, clothes designer and now fitness expert. After the 30-year old was left looking like the re-incarnation of Homer Simpson, Kevin decided it was time to shape up...and he's planning to impart his wisdom with an exercise DVD early next year. 'I plan to get back to looking ripped and sexy again,' he says. 'I know I have let it all go but watch me fly this year.'
But does anyone feel like there's a conspiracy going on? How much money is there to be made in porking up, and then losing it for a fitness DVD? EastEnder's star, Natalie Cassidy, 25 lost two and a half stone for her DVD, The Then and Now Workout,(www.play.com) which became the fastest selling title of all time in the UK. Now she's put on weight, might we see a Fight the Rebound Pounds DVD hitting our shelves come Christmas?

Pedal power

If you want to get fit and toned, you don't necessarily have to force yourself to go to the gym every day. Here at Fitbitch, we're big believers in fitness being fun - if you like it, you're more likely to stick at it. It's something that Elle MacPherson, Jennifer Aniston and Sheryl Crowe have all taken to heart by investing in a bike.
Not only is cycling great for fat loss, helping to burn up to 500 calories an hour just cycling at a moderate pace, they also help shape and tone and the bum, legs and activate the core muscles.
If you're not sure what kind of bike to buy - or whether cycling is even for you - go along to one of Evans Cycles Ride It! events (www.evanscyles.com). They're only £10 and you can book into an off road or road cycle, as well as pre-book a bike to try out.

Jennifer Lopez wonder workout

What is it with women criticising other women's bodies? After giving birth to her twins, Emme and Max just five months ago, Jennifer Lopez was snapped pinned into a Oscar Del a Renta dress for a fashion shoot for Elle Magazine (icydk.com/2008/07/14/jennifer-lopez-on-the-set-of-a-fashion-shoot-for-elle-magazine-in-manhattan ) She looks great yet everyone seems to be delighting in the fact that she's not quite lost all of her baby weight yet! (Tell me what you think - should us women give each other a break or have we all become a victim of the Daily Mail fat-cists?)
Still, now that she's given her body time to recover, Jennifer is working out again and we like her style. Rather than just sweating it out in a gym for the sake of the body beautiful, the 39-year old singer has enlisted the help of celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson (check out workoutwith gunar.com for free tips) to train for a triathalon. One of the biggest growing sports for women in the UK, triathlons are a multi-discipline sport consisting of a swim, cycle and run. Brilliant for helping you get into shape quick, you're also less likely to get injuries through overdevelopment of any one muscle group because of the three different disciplines. But don't be put off by the professional sounding 'athleticness' of it. There are triathalon events for novices, right the way through to Ironman competitions involving 13.8km swim, 180K cycle and 42K run. I reckon Jennifer won't be doing that one! For more information check out www.britishtriathalon.org.

Buy of the week

These nifty little bathroom scales are one of the best bit of motivational diet/fitness kit that Fitbitch has seen in a while. Not only does the Salter MiBody Analyser Scale measure your body fat and lean muscle mass, it also calculates your Basal metabolic rate - how many calories your body burns while at rest. All of this is crucial if you're on a diet or fitness campaign. Too many people, women in particular, get hung up about losing pounds. In reality, it's better to take tape measurements and keep your eye on your ratio of lean muscle to body fat. The higher this ratio, the more toned and fitastic you'll look. Plus, muscle burns more calories than fat so you'll be losing without even doing anything! The scales cost £59.99 and are available at www.salterhousewares.com.

Madonna's fitness perfection

While you hear about all sorts of mad diets and strange exercise fads coming from the world of showbusiness, when it comes to Madge she is at the forefront of some of the best and most innovative fitness programmes.
She was one of the first celebrities to practise Ashtanga yoga - and is reported to be on the Third Series of this dynamic form of yoga making her one of the most advanced practitioners in the world. She's also practised Pilates and Gyrotonic Expansion System. This employs a 'torture rack' type device that strengthens the muscles and tendons while articulating the joints. But the latest technique credited with helping keep her fantastic figure is the Hybrid Body Reformer.
Invented by former dancer, Tracy Anderson is a similar to a Pilates involving a moving pulley system that works muscles from different angles. It works on the principle of challenging muscles and elongating them, rather than bulking.
'I can give anyone the body of a teeny tiny, New York dancer,' says Tracy. If I'm training a pear shaped woman, I have to figure out how to wake up those muscles at are weak instead of overusing major muscles.' While Tracy is currently based in America, she is planning on opening a studio in the UK. Watch this space! www.tracyandersonmethod.com

How to diet - successfully!

istockphoto.com/Lim Beng Chee

Forget slimming pills, patches and potions, latest research shows that the humble egg could prove the answer to your diet dreams. US researchers found that those women who ate a breakfast of eggs lost more weight than those eating a carbohydrate based breakfast. Despite both meals containting the same amount of calories, those on the eggy breakfast lost 65% more than the other group. Much as I'm a porridge kind of gal, I may just have to try this one!

Best gift for healthy girls...or those on a diet!

I don't know about you, but I always remember someone's birthday at the last minute -and we're talking about people whose birthdays I should really know...mum, best friend, sister. But the only option is flowers or delivery chocolates which get a bit dull after a while. Now, a company called Passionleaf have come up with a fantastic new idea ...edible fruit 'flower' bouquets.
Starting at £35 for six people, the bouquets are made up of a delicious range of juicy tropical and seasonal fruits which you can gorge on without feeling guilty! find out more at www.passionleaf.com or call 0870 8500 765