Sonam Kapoor's ultimate slimdown tricks

As one of Bollywood's most talked about and photographed women, Sonam Kapoor has not only made a name for herself as a major talent and total style star, but the actress's candid comments about her ongoing battle with the bulge has endeared her to any woman struggling to ditch those unwanted pounds. The 26-year-old Players star has revealed that she's dropped an incredible 80lbs (35 kilos) since her "obese and unhealthy" teenage years, which saw the star's weight balloon during her time at boarding school in Singapore. And it was being offered a shot at stardom and the chance to follow in her famous father's footsteps and become an actor, that propelled Sonam off the couch and into the gym. Last week insisting, "My whole life revolves around food. While having breakfast I think what I should have for lunch, while having lunch I think what I should eat for dinner," it's clear that the star struggles on a daily basis to avoid the food pitfalls that have plagued her for years. Adding, "I am a Punjabi and the whole point is I love feeding people and I love getting fed." But if you've ever wondered how Sonam stays super-slim, we reveal her diet secret weapons and easy-to-follow tips for instant star style slenderness… Sonam’s secret #1: No food after 6pm Following in the footsteps of the likes of British actress, Liz Hurley (who doesn't eat after 4pm), Sonam has adopted a policy of not eating late at night, to give her body time to burn off the calories she consumes. When I was on a weight loss mission, I would steer clear of any kind of cereals and fried food post 6pm; it makes a huge difference," spilled Sonam of her regime. And it's a golden rule of dieting the actress adheres to, even though she admits her filming schedule can often play havoc with her diet. "Erratic work schedules often make maintaining your weight difficult," she says. "But it's possible as long as you eat healthy every day and workout a bit daily." Sonam’s secret #2: Change up your workouts Along with her Hollywood peer, Gwyneth Paltrow, who insists that every woman can make time in her day to workout, Sonam too believes that even a small amount of exercise is well worth it. "One might not be able to exercise for the full one hour as desired due to pressing schedules, but that doesn't mean one should compromise with the entire workout," insists the Mausam actress, who works out five times a week. "Even 15 minutes of working out is better than not working out at all." And Sonam says she ensures she doesn't get bored with her exercise routine, by changing things up on a daily basis - "It includes five forms of exercise, which are spread out over the course of a week," she reveals. "Since I'm fond of full-body workouts, it includes a combination of cardio, dance and Pilates. I do power yoga, two or three days a week. I also do weight training two or three times a week." Sonam’s secret #3: Dealing with cravings The star admits to having a very sweet tooth, and has found it impossible to give up her favourite chocolates and sugar-filled desserts - but luckily, as she's learnt to control her cravings, she's realised she doesn't have to forgo her faves. "I have a very active sweet tooth and meetha is something I simply haven't been able to give up," she candidly admits. "I never ignore my cravings. I eat whenever a craving strikes, but in small portions. When I felt like chocolates three weeks ago, I didn't hold back, I took a small piece." Sonam’s secret #4: Be prepared for hunger pangs With her movie schedule keeping her on the move, Sonam reveals that she remains fully prepared at all times for when hunger might strike - in order to avoid hunger-pang-triggered scoffing. "I never binge and eat everything in moderation," she sensibly says. "When I'm travelling I carry an apple or sandwich or health bars to satisfy myself without piling on excess calories." And the actress also keeps nuts and dried fruit handy for those "peckish" moments. Sonam’s secret #5: Low carbs, high protein Like most celebrities, Sonam advocates following a diet that's low in carbohydrates and high in protein - but that doesn't mean she has cut out carbs from her diet altogether. "My trainer, Zarine Watson, put me on six small meals a day - low in carbs and high in protein," she says. "My breakfast consisted of oatmeal and fruits. Post-workout, I have brown bread with egg whites. Afterwards, it's a protein shake with juice. Lunch comprises dal, sabzi, one ragi roti, salad and a piece of chicken or fish. The evening snack is high-fibre crackers with chicken cold cuts or egg whites. At dinner, it's soup, salad and a piece of chicken or fish." Sonam’s secret #6: Warm water and coconut water Sonam is a major proponent of staying hydrated throughout the day as a way to stay slim and also keep her famous skin in tip-top condition. And the star relies on a piece of detox advice passed down through her family, revealing, "My grandmother taught me to sip on warm water first thing in the morning. It flushes out toxins from the system. I follow it up with honey and lime water." And that's not the only aqua tip Sonam follows, adding, "Drinking plenty of fluids through the day is also a must for me. I drink coconut water every hour or two; it not only quenches my thirst but also helps me feel fun." Sonam’s secret #7: Stay vigilant "What's important is to keep a watch on the portions," she says. "Being an actor, I cannot afford to be sloppy. I need to be healthy all year round." And Sonam also has her health-conscious dad, Mission Impossible: 4 - Ghost Protocol star, Anil, to thank for helping her stay focused. "For my birthday my father got me a fat-free, sugar-free cake on my birthday… just to remind me that I am in an industry full of female actors who are slimmer than me!" she said. "I know I need to be on top of my weight. Not because I am vain, because I have reached a stage when I cannot be anything but healthy."