Beyoncé's drastic measures for 'Dreamgirls'

Dec 28, 2006, 14:00 GMT

Beyonce Knowles - zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz© Glenn Harris / Photorazzi

Beyoncé Knowles has revealed she had to work out five times a week to stay in shape.

The singer-and-actress, who lost 13 lbs in just ten days on a liquid-only maple syrup and cayenne pepper diet for her new film 'Dreamgirls', admits she has to be very strict with herself to stay fit because she is naturally predisposed to be chunky.

Beyonce, who is dating rap star Jaz-Z, said of her Dreamgirls regimen: "I worked out five times a week. I would get up in the morning at around 8.30. I ate my cereal and I let it digest, then I did cardio for half an hour, followed by free weights for about 45 minutes."

Although her extreme measures to peel pounds produced the desired results, Beyoncé warned other women not to copy the diet.

The stunning star - who survived on an unappetising blend of maple syrup mixed with water, lemon juice and cayenne pepper - said: "In 'Dreamgirls', my character starts at 16 and then 20 years pass. Normally they'd change your make-up or your clothes but I wanted to go the extra mile. My nutritionist suggested the only way to do that was the fast. As soon as it was over I gained the weight back. I would never recommend it to anyone unless you are doing a movie."

(C) BANG Media International