Celebrity Fit Club Lesson to Learn from Kaycee Stroh

Reality TV shows often result in "ick" reactions in my house. Jon and Kate Gosselin, for example, deserve credit as the best examples of TMI (Too Much Information) ever seen on TV! Every so often, however, a reality TV show makes it onto my "worth watching" list because it's both entertaining AND educational. Celebrity Fit Club is on that short list.

Take Kaycee Stroh (one of the break-out stars in "High School Musical") and her weight loss success. Kaycee, according to an interview she gave to US Weekly magazine, gained 30 pounds after her marriage. Although she enjoyed cooking and baking for those meals for two in married bliss, Kaycee did not love that excess weight.

Kaycee changed her menu and her exercise through the help of the show. Poultry and veggies replaced all those high-carb meals and snacks. In addition, the young actress cycled her way to slimness by working out regularly on a bike.

What you can learn from Kaycee's success:

1. You don't have to list "marriage" as an excuse for weight gain. You can enjoy cooking for your new spouse, but love does not require preparing high-calorie, high-carb, high-fat, high-sugar meals and snacks! Forget the fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and three-layer homemade chocolate cake "love menus. " Replace them with broiled chicken with the skin removed, steamed broccoli and fresh fruit.

2. You do need to analyze WHY you gained weight. In Kaycee's case, she was honest with herself and others in evaluating and understanding the cause of her weight gain. All of those lovingly prepared meals added up to unloving and unhealthy excess weight. In fact, life after marriage often results in weight gain for at least one if not both spouses. Having more formal, three-course meals, lingering over them (and nibbling while talking), shared food rituals such as ice cream in the evening while watching TV - all of that can quickly add up to excess weight.

3. Include exercise in your battle of the bulge. It doesn't have to be all-day marathons every day of the week - that's unrealistic (although lately it seems as "The Biggest Loser" TV show is upping the daily exercise quota for its contestants on the ranch!). But regular exercise, such as Kaycee's regularly scheduled biking workouts, can make a difference. You'll slim down more easily, look more toned quickly, and feel better. Your health will benefit, as well.