Rule #1: Snack Before the Party

“Never go into a high-calorie situation hungry, because it means you’re going to be vulnerable,” says Stephen Gullo, a New York psychologist and nutrition expert.

Egg-white omelette with roasted tomatoes. Image courtesy of Spache the Spatula

An apple isn’t enough. Before leaving the house, whip up an egg-white omelette with vegetables, a salad with shrimp, Greek yogurt, or Laughing Cow cheese on high-fibre crackers. “Fibre kills appetite,” he says.

Image courtesy of Listerine

Still hankering for greasy canapés when you arrive? Pop a Listerine strip in your mouth as the tray is passing by, advises Gullo. “It overpowers the taste buds and knocks out your sense of smell, so I recommend them to people who have problems with hors d’oeuvres.”

Baked sweet potatoes are supermodel Cindy Crawford’s go-to before attending an event. Image: Shutterstock

Cindy Crawford’s trick: “I always eat before going out so anything I drink won’t go straight to my head. My favourite is a baked sweet potato or brown rice and veggies.”

Rule #2: Devise An Eating Plan

As an alternative to roasted broccoli and cheese, switch it up with garlic for a healthier option. Image: Shutterstock

The week before your event, stick to white and green foods known to produce a slimming effect, says Gullo: fish, eggs, chicken, and turkey, along with low-carb vegetables, like asparagus, green beans, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, and hearts of palm.

Didn’t plan ahead? If you only have a day or two, try Gullo’s tip to get trim quick. First, reduce carbs to minimise bloat. With every gram of carbohydrate, your body retains up to five grams of water. Second, drink dandelion root tea; it’s a particularly strong diuretic. Third, avoid salt. It causes puffiness.

Rule #3: Consume Wisely

Image: Shutterstock

Alternate each alcoholic drink with a glass of mineral water or Diet Coke.

Rule #4: Exercise 

Show off your fittest self in a show-stopping dress from Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Autumn/Winter ’16

Whether you plan on wearing a sexy Saint Laurent mini or a skintight Zuhair Murad, toning those exposed areas of your physique is crucial. Follow celebrity trainer (and Heidi Klum’s go-to guy) David Kirsch’s advice to see results in days.

Arms

Push-ups; five to 10 sets, on your toes or knees, for as many repetitions as you can handle.

Gams

Plié toe squats; five to 10 sets, 15 to 20 reps, feet out at a 45-degree angle, squatting and lifting your heels.

Back

Shadowboxing; take two 32-ounce water bottles and alternate crossovers and undercuts for two minutes.