Big Ruben is back, speaking for the first time since getting out of the hospital, and he's talking only to "Extra." "I'm actually doing much, much better right now," Studdard told us. "I'm feeling great. I am feeling ninety percent better and hopefully in the coming weeks I'll be one hundred percent."

The "American Idol," who already lost a lot of weight thanks to the strict diet and exercise program he started with "Extra," fell ill with pneumonia three weeks ago. "I just hate that I got sick right in middle of what we were doing, because we really had it going well," Studdard said. "I was working out and eating right."

And Studdard admitted he can't wait to get back on his low-carb Sunfare diet: "I actually kind of miss Sunfare because I don't have people dropping food off at my house everyday. Now I have to go and look for food to eat, and I hate that."

But Ruben loves that his new album, "I Need an Angel," hit number one on the gospel charts, and now he's getting ready to perform for President Bush at the Annual Christmas in Washington Concert.

The Velvet Teddy Bear also told us he's not done hitting the gym with his trainer, Gunnar Peterson. "I really enjoyed the experience working with Gunnar -- and not just with Gunnar but getting a chance to work with 'Extra,'" Ruben revealed. "Everybody was really nice to me; I really had a good time doing it."

Look for Ruben on stage when the Christmas in Washington Concert airs Wednesday on TNT.