"I didn't gain the Freshman 15  I gained the Freshman 40. I possibly could keep candy and chips within my room and eat all the late-night pizza I could afford. I grew to a size 14 and kept growing. I felt sick and lethargic. I 2 day diet us needed to nap all the time."

Fed up with being overweight and exhausted, Maria finally chose to overhaul her diet and begin exercising during her early 20s. Within a year, she lost 40 pounds and slimmed down from a size 14 to some 4.

Menounos was so encouraged by her dramatic weight loss that they has maintained an active, health-conscious lifestyle since. Maria, who's Greek, follows a Mediterranean diet, which has consistently been rated among the top diets for its weight-loss and heart-health benefits.

The med diet emphasizes healthy fats such as essential olive oil and avocados, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and seeds. The diet is based on the standard diet programs of Italian, Greek, Spanish, along with other Mediterranean cultures.

Maria's diet features Greek yogurt with blueberries for breakfast; a Mediterranean salad with olives, chicken and feta cheese for lunch; and vegetarian chicken teriyaki with peas and cauliflower for dinner.

For exercise, Menounos tries to walk 10,000 steps (about five miles) every day. The 5-foot-8 brunette 2 day diet new beauty also runs, takes spinning classes, plays basketball, and does Pilates and Krav Maga workouts.

Maria is against extreme diets, and underscored the significance of emphasizing health over vanity. "My goal ended up being to stop overeating, make healthier choices, and slim down slowly during the period of one year," she says. "Trying to rush or do crazy fad diets does not provide you with sustainable results."