The problem of obesity and being overweight afflicts millions of people around the world. No wonder, the preparation and marketing of diet and fitness programs have become a billion-dollar industry. But perhaps there is no other group of people that is more concerned about weight loss than those in the entertainment industry. In a job where a few extra pounds can cause an actor to lose a movie role, the use of weight loss programs and other fitness fads has become a necessity. In fact, being on a diet is already a given for actors in Hollywood.

For her role in the movie, Tomb Raider, Angelina Jolie went on a diet of steamed meat, vegetables and soya milk. She revealed that prior to making the movie, she did not normally eat breakfast but just smoked cigarettes and drank a lot of coffee. Jolie also said that she stopped using sugar on any of the food she consumed.

Madonna, on the other hand, has kept her figure by engaging regularly in yoga and by following a macrobiotic diet that consisted of whole grains, beans, vegetables, and all-natural sweeteners such as rice syrup, barley malt, and maple syrup.

Jessica Alba, the famous star from the t.v. series, Dark Angel, may be the earliest dieter in Hollywood. Starting when she was 12 years old, Jessica Alba says that her breakfast consisted only of egg whites and fruits. She added that she usually ate salad for lunch and vegetables or chicken for dinner.

Unlike her fellow female artists, Jennifer Lopez eats a lot of junk food when she is not doing any movie or if she is not preparing for a music video.

These artists get paid millions of dollars each year not only for their skills and talents in singing or acting. They also earn mega-bucks for product endorsements, magazine pictorials, and other business deals that involve the use of their pictures or images. The hair, face, and body of a Hollywood superstar are all quite literally the tools of the trade, or more appropriately, their investments. The better they look physically, the more movie or recording contracts they usually get. Of course, a little scandal here and the latest buzz there helps put them in showbiz headlines, too.

But for the most part, their physical image is the commodity that is bought by an eager public that follows their every movie or song. Some fans even copy their movie idols hairstyle or way of dressing. That is why it should be no surprise why the icons of Hollywood spend large sums of money to look good via natural means such as exercise, or through artificial methods such as botox injections and face lifts.

A lot of attention has been put into the so-called “celebrity diets” not only because these are supposed to be the “secrets” followed by the movie and music stars who are now in great physical shape. These diets have also been getting attention because not all of these diets are effective. The “Hollywood 48-Hour Miracle Diet” and other celebrity diets are usually low in carbohydrates and calories. Some are just simple methods to lose “body water” and do not really promote health and fitness. Still, many people buy into these “miracle programs” because they somehow believe that they can achieve the same results.

But there are marked differences between how everyday people like you and me go on a diet compared to how the celebrities do it. There are also reasons why some of these celebrity diets do not work as well when used by non-celebrities.

Celebrities have incentives to lose weight since their careers and their million-dollar contracts depend a great deal on their physical appearance, or at least, according to how Hollywood defines physical beauty. Regular people do not have the same budget for a fitness or diet program. Quite obviously, regular people are not paid a single cent to lose weight --- maybe except for those people who join weight reduction contests on television.

Celebrities often spend thousands of dollars to hire their own personal trainer, personal chef, nutritionist, and other support staff. These support staff monitor and motivate the celebrities to follow their fitness routines and diet plan. Regular people usually workout on their own or just receive a few instructions during the first few days at the gym.

So then, what can non-celebrities do to lose those extra pounds?

One good alternative is to visit a doctor and ask for information about the use of a weight loss pill. Aside from doing regular exercise and cutting down on fat and sugar, a serious weight watcher can get a prescription for a weight loss pill that helps reduce the absorption of fat in the intestines. Whenever we eat food with large amounts of fat or sugar, these are absorbed by the body through the intestines. People with irregular schedules or no exercise at all tend to retain the fat and sugars in their bodies. Having no opportunity to shed the excess fat, these people eventually gain weight by having no control over the amount and content of food they consume.

A weight loss pill is usually taken after every meal and, thus, is very convenient to use. A common ingredient found in a weight loss diet pill is called Orlistat. Orlistat is usually sold under the brand name Xenical. Other preparations that offer the same effect are available in the market. However, the best weight loss pill is really a person's motivation. No fitness fad or rapid weight loss pill will work if a weight watcher is not motivated enough to exercise daily and not disciplined enough follow a sensible eating plan.

Indeed, not everybody was born to become a Hollywood superstar. But everyone can manage how and what they eat. Not all people have the opportunity to have a seven-figure salary or become famous around the world. But everyone can set aside time to exercise and keep one's self fit. By keeping fit, we all can be stars in terms of our health.