Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Sun Lite for August 2, 2004

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, Aug. 2, 2004 | 8:10 a.m.

Heavy heartthrobs

If you're exercising yourself into oblivion at the gym and counting so many carbs that your head hurts in an effort to gain the same flawless physique sported by Hollywood's hunkiest celebs, it may be time to rethink that plan.

Turns out several of the hotties starring in this summer's biggest flicks are actually overweight, at least according to the government's Body Mass Index (BMI) standard, which the Center for Consumer Freedom a nonprofit outfit in Washington, D.C., that works with restaurants, food companies and average folks to "promote personal responsibility and protect consumer choices" calls "flawed."

The feds say anyone whose BMI measures between 25 and 29 is considered "overweight" (more than 30 is "obese"). The Freedom people say phooey, and report that some silver-screen stars have been "mislabeled," including Matt Damon of "The Bourne Supremacy": At 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 187 pounds, he's technically a fatty because his BMI is 26.

"I, Robot" star Will Smith (6 feet 2 inches, 210 pounds); "The Manchurian Candidate's" Denzel Washington (6 feet, 199 pounds); and "Van Helsing's" Hugh Jackman (6 foot 2 inches, 210 pounds) all share a BMI of 27. Hard to believe, but Brad Pitt (6 feet, 203 pounds) has them all beat with a BMI of 28.

Want to see how you measure up against these and other movie stars? Visit www. consumerfreedom.com, plug in your personal stats and your BMI will be calculated.

Weighty issues

Of course, after learning the number, you may be more determined than ever to keep those carbs in check. That being said, the beanpoles at www.Sparkpeople.com, a weight-loss Web site that claims to have more than 100,000 members, is offering tips for achieving dieting success and healthy lifestyle changes. Among them:

Good for a chuckle

Or, as the masterminds of the new CD "Laugh It Off" would prefer, pop their disc in the stereo and watch your stress if not much fat melt away.

Developed by "laughercising veteran" Betty Hoeffner of Chicago, the concept is, well, almost laughable: The 60-minute disc features nothing more than the sounds of people chuckling. Relying on the old adage that laughter is the best medicine, "Laugh It Off's" promoters point to research that says laughing can raise endorphin levels and suppress stress hormones.

Instructions for the CD (that costs $10 at www.HeyUGLY.com) are to laugh along with it for one minute; then gradually increase "laugh sessions" to 10 minutes in length "for a great, laughercising workout." The Web site also suggests such hearty laughing will work abdominal muscles. Hey, has Brad Pitt heard about this?