Diet & Fitness 

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Bikini countdown plan

Time can be extremely slippery. When you booked the holiday it was AGES away. How then, all of a sudden, can it be two weeks away? Do not fear, I have trade secrets. Let the countdown begin!

Two weeks

Hooray! Holiday is only 14 days away. That must be cause for celebration? It certainly is, but of the non-alcoholic variety I'm afraid. Now is the time to ban the booze until touchdown. Alcohol causes you to look puffy and contains lots of extra calories that you definitely do not need.

We normally underestimate how much we eat by 25 per cent (National Obesity forum). With this in mind you can immediately see the importance of portion control.

'Your entire meal should fit into your cupped hands,' according to Dieting for Dummies by Jane Kirby. 'If it overflows, you're eating too much.' So stop overloading your plate. If this is a problem for you, think about investing in some smaller plates and bowls.

Avoid the biscuit tin and all processed sweet products. Fruit and vegetables are the champions of the hour. Not only will these provide you with lots of lovely nutrients and vitamins at a low-calorie cost, but they will also add a glow to your skin and a spring to your step.

Water, water, water, it's time to get drinking and at a very minimum, you need two litres a day and absolutely no fizzy drinks. Dehydration causes water retention. This is the last thing you need. If you can steer clear of coffee and tea too, all the better. If you feel you need a hot drink why not give herbal tea a go? Green tea is hailed as one of the reasons Japanese women stay slim and youthful.

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