How can I dodge vacation pounds?

Q:

I finally reached my goal weight—I’m down 68 pounds! To celebrate, my husband and I are going on a cruise next month. I’d like to be able to indulge a bit on board without gaining any weight back. Can a diet tweak help?

A:

We suggest supplementing with 300 mg of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) twice daily during your trip. This powerful fatty acid stimulates the activity of brown fat, a metabolically active form of fat that contains mitochondria. These cellular energy engines will actually burn up extra calories you consume, ensuring indulgences like ice cream won’t be stored as fat on your frame. In fact, one study found that supplementing with GLA helped women lose 3 pounds per week without making any other lifestyle changes. A brand to try: Life Extension Mega GLA ($15 for 60 softgels, lef.org/ffw).

Also smart: Fill your plate with one cup of broccoli, cauliflower or cabbage daily. The sulforaphane in these veggies spur the liver to burn more fat for fuel.

QMy friend swears sipping coconut vinegar helped her lose 22 pounds in 6 weeks. Could it

work for me?

AAbsolutely! This fermented sip made from coconut tree sap has been gaining popularity in the weight-loss world because it boasts all the slimming perks of apple cider vinegar (including switching on fat-burning genes, balancing blood sugar and dialing down appetite) but without the harsh, pungent taste. In fact, most women find coconut vinegar to be slightly sweet and mildly tangy like citrus fruit.

What’s more, coconut vinegar is a rich source of energizing minerals like phosphorous and iron as well as digestion-enhancing enzymes and metabolism-boosting B vitamins that further support the body’s weight-loss systems.

To get the benefits, enjoy 2 Tbs. of coconut vinegar (like Coconut Secret Raw Coconut Vinegar, $5 for 12.7 oz., health-food stores) daily. We like it diluted in 8 oz. of water or mixed with olive oil for dressings.