FEB. 3
NOW

Even after Joey Fatone signed on for the fourth season of Dancing with the Stars, he was a bit surprised to have been asked to the ball. "Nobody wants to see a fat guy on the dance floor," he says frankly. So the former 'N Sync singer, whom fans endearingly called "Fat One," decided the nickname—and the extra weight—had to go.

"My big problem is I'm Italian and I love to eat my pasta," says Fatone, 30. Because portion size was a problem, he turned to NutriSystem, a plan with premeasured meals that his wife, Kelly, used with some success several years ago. "The food is easy to travel with and it tastes good," says Fatone, who lost 6 lbs. the first two weeks. (After he called the company to rave, they set him up with a free supply.)

Before now, "I had no energy. I'd work out and need a nap. Now I can dance all day," says Fatone, who has gone from 239 lbs. to 219 lbs. since mid-February, when he began five-hour a day, six-day a week Dancing rehearsals with pro-partner Kym Johnson. (Some of his competitors, at right, are also toning up as they tango.) With a goal of weighing 200 lbs., "I have a bit more to go," he says. "But this is great. 'Fat One' no more! Who would have thought I'd wear a white suit on TV?"

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