I was intrigued by the headline in the National Enquirer, "Hollywood's Deadly Skin and Bones Diet: Stars Risking Their Lives to be Thin," so I bought it even though I am not supposed to admit to it.Then there was the Tabloid, In Touch, with a similar headline, "Scary Skinny!"

I wasn't actually reading these publications, I was just doing "professional" research.Confessions from the Tabloid

The cover of the Enquirer featured images of 5' 7", 100 pound Angelina Jolie; 5' 6", 110 pound Anna Kournikova; and 5' 8", 106 pound Cate Blanchett, and others.

Looking past some amusing photos, I came to the article which quoted Dr. Stanley Title as saying, "The skin and bones diet is extremely dangerous and can cause serious health implications. Literally, there are starving themselves to death."

This is so because celebrities know that they look heavier when they're on camera so they go to extremes to compensate for that even it means protruding bones.

Skinny and Healthy aren't the Same

Frequently, people forget about health when they talk about weight loss.Leaving out things like nutrition, quality-of-life issues, general health, and energy levels, goals usually focus on clothing size, body fat percentage, and weight.I have completed over 7000 tests of body composition as a fat loss coach, so I see something even more alarming with these skin and bones diet plans.

Body fat to Muscle Ratio

The fact that weight loss can come from muscle rather than fat is a major concern.So people end up with very little muscle but still have fat spots. I've checked the composition of some women who look like they're thin, but have higher than average body fat ratios.

Much like a pipe with insulation wrapped around it, what people like this have amounts to a bone with a pat of fat surrounding it.Problem with this is compounded by the slow metabolism and lack of strength.I used to think that fat was bad: now I know that skinny fat is worse.

4 Suggestions for How to be Lean and Fit Rather than Skinny

1. Avoid starvation diets.Because people want to believe in a quick solution, they will stop eating to lose weight, but the weight loss usually doesn't last. This is not how to lose weight fast.

2. Your normal routine should include strength training.Weight training helps you build muscle, elevate your metabolism and have overall good health.

3 Use a different vocabulary.Try using terms like "improving nutrition," rather than "going on a diet."Instead of wanting to look skinny, how about trying to have an athletic look? Just look at how people talk in a weight loss forum.

4. Keep tabs on your body composition.This will help you avoid damaging muscle loss.

This is the same approach natural bodybuilders take: they each up to six meals with natural food every day to keep their muscle.Keep in mind, it's about being "lean" and "healthy," not being "skinny."

For information about how to lose weight fast go to www.fatlossfactor.com.