Alcohol ban helps Britney Spears lose 20 pounds

Los Angeles: Pop princess Britney Spears has reportedly shed 20 pounds after banning alcohol and fast food from her diet.

The 29-year-old singer, who is set to launch her `Femme Fatale` summer tour, has shed the pounds due to her strict diet regime, reported Ok! magazine. "Britney`s dropped 20 pounds since her heaviest," said a friend. The `Toxic` singer, who has banned booze, sugar and white flour from her diet, has been working out with her boyfriend Jason Trawick. "The best thing she ever did was cut out alcohol. It was bloating her, upsetting her blood sugar and causing her cravings," added the friend. The source admitted that the pop star has indulged in pizza, cookie-dough ice cream and greasy tacos for a long time, adding to her body and mind problems. "It stressed her out and added to her weight gain. It was a vicious cycle. Now, she seems to finally have control," said the source. Spears, who made a comeback with her latest album `Femme Fatale`, has also been rehearsing daily, which is reportedly her favourite way of shedding extra calories. "Cross-training ? mixing cardio, like the treadmill, with weights ? is Britney`s strategy when she`s feeling heavy. And she`s been doing a lot more Pilates lately," added the source. PTI