Gwyneth Paltrow is hell bent on getting you to drink her Kool-Aid. First came “Goop,” the content of which she allegedly stole from another person; next came the chain of health clubs that no one in the recession-plagued United States can afford to join; and now the Oscar-winning mom wants to bring yoga to the schools! I mean, seriously! Is there no end to her crusade of wellness? OK, maybe yoga in the schools is a good thing but I still think Paltrow is the reigning Ego Queen of New York right now.

“I started practicing yoga 20 years ago with Eddie Stern and it changed my life, so when he asked me to come … I felt I owe him so much,” Gwyneth tells “The Insider.”

The actress joined forces with Alice + Olivia and Urban Zen Foundation to host a gala thrown by Bent on Learning, a non-profit organization that offers instruction in yoga and meditation to students in New York City public schools and youth centers.

“I think New York City public schools need some TLC, and, I think, yoga is a nice way to get centered. It is a great idea,” Gwyneth adds. [Source]

Pardon my rant for a moment but this really burns me up. Not because it isn’t a great idea but because I actually went to public school in New York City and if I recall correctly, Gwynnie went to Spence. The NYC public school system might benefit from a few breaths in Downward Dog, but it’d probably do just as well with new text books and more qualified teachers.

Photo Credit: Fame Pictures

Taylor Swift is all over the place these days but just because she’s always running around doesn’t mean Swift opts out of exercise. The teen pop super-star says that her reasons for working out aren’t superficial—it’s more about staying healthy enough to play a show.

Taylor Swift on Weight: “Basically, if I’m indulging too much and not exercising enough, I can feel that,” she says. “I can feel a change before I see it. For me, working out is not so I can stay skinny. It’s so that I can keep up my endurance so I’m not panting on stage. Heavy breathing is the worst when you’re in concert. You don’t want to see that, if you’re going to see a show.” [Source]

Taylor seems to take her professional obligations very seriously, which is a surprise in someone so young, so famous and so independent.

Britney Spears is so close to having her old body back and seriously, I couldn’t be happier for her. I’ve been insanely jealous but also insanely happy. Imagine how much happier I became when I realized that I too can have Brit’s banging Circus body!

To get into tour-ready shape, Britney headed to renowned choreographer Jamie King, who’s also worked with Madonna, Rihanna, and other superstars who put on sweat-worthy shows. But while you probably can’t hire King for your own personal routine, you can work out to his DVD, “Rock Your Body”…which features a short workout and how-to moves for a hip-hop routine.

“Rock Your Body” isn’t a traditional workout video, so some of its styling is kind of rough (King says “go left” when he’s moving right, for example, since he’s facing you). Still, you’ll really feel your abs and core engage as you learn the steps.

“All dance moves begin at the core,” Van Daff says. “You can’t shake, squat, bend, twirl, gyrate or any other dance related movement without a strong core.” [Source]

I tried the “Dancing with the Stars” workout last summer and it was totally complicated. Perhaps this one will be more my speed.

With all the weight nonsense that’s been following Kelly Clarkson around these days, you have to give the girl credit for keeping a level head. The “All I Ever Wanted” singer remains committed to her “self love” mantra and insists that she doesn’t diet, that her weight remains consistent and that it’s all just a matter of perception.

The two-time Grammy winner, 26, admits, “I run when I feel like I need to run and de-stress” but she doesn’t regularly work out.

How much weight has she lost?

“Oh, I haven’t,” she tells me. “I’m always the same size. People just get pictures of me in black and I look thinner, and people get pictures of me in white and I look bigger.”

Feeling good about herself is part of Kelly’s nature.

“I have a really, really great support system, so I’ve always been like that. But I mean, obviously, I’m humble as well, because there’s a lot of things about which I have no clue.” [Source]

Must be wonderful to be so blissfully indifferent.

Poor little Gwyneth Paltrow and her massively engorged head. The Oscar-winner is so driven by her own ego right now she never once considered that maybe opening the flagship location of her super expensive health club chain in recession-busted New York City wasn’t such a hot idea. Well, Gwynnie, the chickens have come home to roost and apparently they don’t feel like roosting on a Precor.

The “Shakespeare in Love” star teamed up with her personal trainer Tracy Anderson - who also works with Madonna - to launch a worldwide chain of gyms. But the duo hadn’t anticipated the credit crunch and are worried that not enough people are signed up at the New York facility, which is set to open later this year.

Workers at the gym are cold-calling people to try and persuade them to join, according to New York gossip column PageSix.

A person who was contacted by the gym says, “It’s ridiculous. Membership is like $4,500 to join and then hundreds of dollars a month. Who can afford that right now?” [Source]

You can’t see me but please know that I am crying so hard right now I’m actually laughing.

There’s a new exercise craze in town, people. Well, OK, it’s not new. Actually, it’s way old but it’s still extremely effective. Kettle Bells are on their way back into vogue and Jennifer Lopez is apparently leading the pack when it comes to the strength and flexibility-enhancing workout props.

The American Council on Exercise found that kettle bell exercises are making a comeback. According to a press release from exercise equipment product manufacturer GoFit, Jennifer Lopez, Penelope Cruz, Lance Armstrong, Mariska Hargitay, Sylvester Stallone, Claire Danes, Kim Cattrall and Matthew McConaughey use kettlebells as part of their workouts. [Source]

Sure, they look like some kind of medieval torture device but if they get you in a bikini this summer, who cares?

Photo credit: Fame Pictures

Marcia Cross, of “Desperate Housewives” fame, has admitted that she is too short on time to work out like a mad woman. She’s got two twin daughters, a hit show to shoot and all sorts of cancer awareness fundraising to do. So this is what I’m wondering: is Marcia lying or is she just naturally skinny? Here’s what my sources reveal:

To drop some baby weight, Marcia embraced BravaBody, according to “ABCNews.” Developed by two over-50 women, BravaBody focuses on nutrition and the slowing metabolism of aging women (Marcia is 47). “Fit & Healthy” shares that Marcia is not afraid of the Spanx and that she exercises a little bit every day, mostly at the LA fitness club Burn 60. She’s reportedly no stranger to cardio and strength training, and a diet filled with protein and veggies helps out too. “iVillage UK” dishes on Marcia’s pre-marriage, pre-baby practices — apparently, Iyengar yoga kept her long, and low-fat foods kept her lean. [Source]

So there you have it: Marcia is kind of a liar. But the good news is that her fitness secrets are actually time-tested and trust-worthy. Eat less, exercise more and you too can have the Marcia Cross physique, even after popping out twin babies.

Photo Credit: Fame Pictures

Jessica Simpson ended her tour with Rascal Flats on Friday night and fans were pleased to find her rocking those Daisy Dukes like a true champion. We all know that this has been a rough few months for Jessica, what with all the gossip about her weight gain, but it seems that the super-blonde songstress is back on track.

After being criticized for her figure upon starting off the tour, Jess has certainly slimmed down - with her longtime personal trainer Mike Alexander recently talking about the situation with FOX Pop Tarts’ Hollie McKay.

“The whole thing wasn’t as traumatic for Jessica as everyone made it out to be. She’s a confident and naturally beautifully girl who works hard,” Alexander tells.

“Jessica is now at the end of her tour and looks great. It’s not easy to have a super strict diet when you are touring so you just have to make the best of the restaurants you go too but she’s knows what to eat and what not to and we talk about all of that,” he adds. [Source]

Hmmm…not quite sure the ol’ girl stuck to that super strict diet when she was consuming Denver a few weeks ago but who cares? She looks great in the shorts and that is apparently all that matters to anyone.