American Idol: Great for your career, not always so great for your waistline.

During her 12 weeks on Season Five and through the three-month-long Idol tour last year, says runner-up Kellie Pickler, “I didn’t work out at all! I got really lazy and every time I’d walk by the catering table I’d grab a handful of M&Ms or some Twizzlers.

I wasn’t even hungry — I’d just eat because it was there. It was junk food heaven!” Before she knew it, the 5′1″ Pickler — who says that pre-ldol she would work out daily and run during the hour that Oprah was on TV — went from 103 lbs. to 125 lbs.

“After the tour I’d read in magazines ‘Kellie’s fat!’ It really hurt my feelings,” says Pickler. Before touring on her own she resolved to slim down. Now Pickler makes sure her dressing room is stocked with fruit and vegetable platters: “I don’t think you can eat too many vegetables,” she says.

She also eliminated most snack food from her diet (pizza at midnight: out; Canadian ketchup chips imported by her boyfriend: still in). Plus, she started working out again. “I’ll run outside or I will play football with the guys in my band or on the bus I’ll lie down and do 100 crunches,” she says.

“I instantly noticed a difference in how I feel.” Now 108 lbs., Pickler says, “I’d still like to be more toned, but I’m trying.” Her advice? “If you don’t like your body, quit complaining! Go to the gym.” Amen to that! [via]