Melissa Gorga in Bathing Suit Says "Happy Birthday Love"

Melissa Gorga “had the best weekend celebrating” her husband, Joe Gorga’s birthday – in her swimsuit! The Real Housewives of New Jersey star flaunts her fabulous figure via one of her latest Instagram posts, celebrating her significant other’s special day in Montauk. “Joe!! My Rock! Happy Birthday Love,” she wrote in the post, which includes a photo of the two walking on the beach in their swimsuits. How does the reality star maintain her fit physique? Read on to see 8 of Melissa Gorga’s top tips for staying in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She Lifts Weights

Unlike her costar, Teresa Guidice, Melissa is not into bodybuilding. "I don’t like a lot of muscle," she explained to Women’s Health. "I like to stay a little bit more feminine. I don’t know. I don’t think it would look right." Instead, she lifts weights to tone her body. "I do a lot of lifting. I don’t do that much cardio, because I run around so much," she added, revealing that she works out at least four times a week for an hour at a time, often targeting "butts and guts" to tone her booty and abs. "I feel like even if you’re a little bit heavier, it’s all about toning your body. Work with what you’re working with, but keep it tight."

2. She Refuses to Diet

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"I never do fad diets," Melissa dished to Women’s Health. "I feel like I do a lot better with my own routine. It’s worked for me forever." She prioritizes healthy habits over temporary fixes. "It’s a lifestyle for me. I feel better when I eat healthy. If I don’t work out for a week or two, I feel miserable."

3. She Hydrates

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Melissa is“huge” on consuming “so much” water. “I pee a lot because I drink a lot of water. So I feel like I’m constantly running to the bathroom because I just drink so much water. So … I know it’s such, like, a cliche, but it’s so true. It’s one of the truest things for your skin and for the flush out your body,” she told Us Weekly.

4. She Avoids Carbs in the Afternoon

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Melissa eats a limited amount of carbs, like a grilled chicken salad or turkey sandwich for lunch, and then avoids them later in the day. "For dinner, it’s always a piece of meat and vegetables.”

5. She Cheats

Melissa eats healthy most of the time. However, she does allow herself to eat. On the weekends you can often find her indulging in a big family style dinner of pizza, pasta, and other Italian delicacies.

6. She Avoids Salt

How does Melissa avoid bloating? “I won’t eat, like, salty food the day before, ‘cause I do retain water,” Melissa told Us Weekly. “So, it’s like, I pay attention if I’m going to eat, like, anything really salty or Chinese food or anything that’s going to give me a lot of salt. I would tend to stick away from [it] if I know I’ve got to put a bikini on the next day.”