With two major movies out at the start of 2007, the Shakespeare In Love star is getting back into the public eye after working hard to get rid of her pregnancy pounds.

The world was shocked earlier this year with the news that the famously-disciplined star was finding it tough shifting her baby weight.

Slender Gwynnie, known for her strict macrobiotic regime before baby Apple came along, confessed to close pals she was feeling oversized and flabby since the birth of her son.

She was overheard in a London eaterie telling friends: "My stomach is rippling, my breasts don't feel good. I've been trying to work out. You should see the cellulite on my thighs right now."

But instead of letting herself go, the 5'10" star realised there was no quick fix . . . and she had to knuckle down. "You think, 'How is this ever going to go back?' But it does . . . if you do a lot of working out. I wanted to do something about it, " she says.

A fan of yoga and pilates, it has taken her over six months, but now Paltrow is in great shape, looking healthy and happy with her fuller figure. The gorgeous blonde, who is married to Coldplay singer Chris Martin, has chosen a quieter life since becoming a mum, carefully balancing her home life with work.

"Since my daughter came along, I've not worked much through choice, " she said in the past. "I really love my family life. I'm not into having a nanny raise my kids so I feel guilty when I think about going back to work. But luckily I have a job that is very intense in parts but affords me time at home."

Whereas before it seemed as if she couldn't turn down a role, these days Paltrow is being much more selective about the parts she takes.

The actress, who has lined up a role alongside her former fiance Brad Pitt in Dirty Tricks next year, is starring in Infamous as stunning singer Peggy Lee and also appears in Running With Scissors as the dysfunctional daughter of a psychiatrist.

And her more relaxed attitude extends to her diet since she succumbed to her pregnancy cravings and found she couldn't face brown rice.

Her pre-Apple diet plan banned all meat, eggs, dairy and caffeine, but Paltrow has put her 40lb weight gain while pregnant down to the fact that she ditched the rabbit food and instead indulged her cravings for toasted cheese sandwiches and chips.

After Apple's arrival, she worked hard to regain her figure. "You have to exercise to get it all back, " she said. "It was tough, very tough.

So it was that and blusher and a girdle!

"I am a vegetarian and I just followed the doctor's advice. I used to have miso soup and oatmeal for breakfast. My diet was very regimented but now I eat what I want.

"I try to eat as organically as possible and I steer clear of candy because I don't think there's any energy in it, " she added of her more laidback approach.

And since little Moses joined the Paltrow-Martin clan seven months ago, Paltrow 's new diet has made life much easier.

Since having her second child she confessed she eats curry "all the time" and loves a cold beer. She admits that once the kids are in bed, she loves to pour a glass of red: "I drink a glass of wine with dinner, occasionally beer and also Guinness. I simply try not to eat any over-manufactured foods that aren't naturally welcome in my body, " she says.

But don't fear . . . it seems Paltrow likes a trip to the bakery as much as the rest of us. "Once in a while I'll have chocolate cake, " she says, although she insists she will just work extra hard if she has indulged.

She also now scoffs wheat and cheese: "If I'm out, I can't resist Parmesan cheese."

Here's a sensible Gwyneth-style diet all new mums can benefit from . . . or even those who just want to get into shape.

It can help reduce cellulite, give you clearer skin, brighter eyes and lots more energy to run around after little ones!

PALTROW'S PORTIONS

MONDAY Breakfast Natural yoghurt with banana and honey Lunch Grilled tofu with spinach, carrot and celery salad Dinner Lentil pilaf made from onions, lentils, rice and flaked almonds Gwynnie's tip Beat cellulite by using a body brush in sweeping strokes towards your heart

TUESDAY Breakfast Gluten-free toast and honey Lunch Carrot and ginger soup served with oatcakes and cottage cheese Dinner Grilled salmon with steamed broccoli and cauliflower Gwynnie's tip Have a treat today . . . savour some really decadent chocolate cake slowly

WEDNESDAY Breakfast Muesli with banana and soya milk Lunch Two poached eggs with spinach on gluten-free toast Dinner Roasted asparagus, red onion, peppers and courgettes with melted buffalo mozzarella Gwynnie's tip Pilates or yoga is great for toning core muscles, and for helping you feel calmer

THURSDAY Breakfast Scrambled eggs on gluten-free toast Lunch Brown rice and mixed bean salad Dinner Grilled sea bass with steamed carrots, broccoli and mangetout Gwynnie's tip Soak in a hot bath full of Epsom salts, which help rid the body of waste.

FRIDAY Breakfast Muesli with blueberries and soya milk Lunch Omelette made with sweetcorn and peas, served with spinach salad Dinner Brown rice cooked with spices and served with roast butternut squash Gwynnie's tip Burn off calories by playing with your children in the park . . . or borrow someone else's!

SATURDAY Breakfast Boiled egg with gluten-free toast Lunch Oatcakes with cottage cheese and smoked salmon Dinner Stir-fry of Quorn, carrots, broccoli, mangetout and garlic, served with brown rice Gwynnie's tip Let your hair down and relax with a glass of red wine before bed to unwind

SUNDAY Breakfast Smoothie of natural yoghurt, soya milk, banana and honey Lunch Tuna salad with carrots, baby corn, lettuce and tomatoes Dinner Cod fillets baked with chopped root vegetables: carrots, parsnips, swede and onion Gwynnie's tip Spend the day outdoors with your family . . . sunshine always lifts your mood