But if the stodgy dishes you consumed over the winter have left you with some extra padding, follow these easy tips and you'll be bikini ready in no time:
Get your fill of fibre
Stacking your plate up with two to three cups of salad at lunch and dinner is your best ally in the fight against flab. Fibre keeps you feeling full and has been found to reduce the total amount of kilojoules you eat - this equals weight loss without deprivation.
When making a salad, think beyond lettuce. Add blanched green beans, asparagus and broccoli to really bulk it out. But ease into a fibre increase through the course of the day, because boosting your intake for one meal can be a shock to the system, causing excess gas and bloating.
Carb it up
Carbohydrates are your body's primary fuel. It's important to get between 45 to 65 per cent of your energy intake from carbs to keep you feeling ready and raring to go.
Most women need to eat at least 7500kJ per day to lose weight without lowering metabolism. When you eat carbs, they're broken down into glucose and stored as glycogen. Glycogen is stored with three times its own weight in water, which is why a low-carb diet allows you to lose weight so quickly - water isn't stored with protein.
Choose nutrient-rich carbs such as fruit, vegetables and wholegrain cereals and breads. Steer clear of nutrient-poor carbohydrates that are commonly found in lollies, cakes and biscuits.
Increase fluid intake
If you have pale urine and use the toilet regularly, you're drinking enough fluids. Beverages with few or no kilojoules, such as water and herbal tea, are best. Water-rich foods also contribute to your fluid intake, so eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegies.
Minimise your alcohol intake - not only does it add excess kilojoules to your diet, but it also contributes towards fluid loss because it acts as a diuretic.
Go easy on salt
Choose fresh, natural foods instead of more commercially processed or packaged varieties, which usually have a high salt content. Read labels carefully and choose salt-reduced options if you can. Even a small amount of sodium causes bloating so if you need to slip into a tight-fitting dress, leave the shaker alone.
Eat earlier in the day
If you skip breakfast or lunch you end up eating your largest meal at night, which lowers your metabolism. If you eat light at night - no more than a third of your daily energy allowance - you'll wake up with a flatter tummy in the morning and will be more likely to eat a healthy, fibre-rich breakfast that will keep you feeling trim all day.
Reduce your stress
The stress hormone cortisol ramps up your appetite and causes fat deposits around organs in the abdomen. This type of weight gain is linked to nutritional diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and some forms of cancer.
Relaxation techniques can help lower stress levels and cardiovascular exercise can reduce midsection weight gain - another reason to swap the evening wine for yoga or a run
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