You gobbled delicious food throughout the holidays, picking up a few extra pounds that you vowed to lose by this spring.

A month into that New Year's resolution, regular trips to the gym had just sort of tapered off completely.

And now, spring is here, swimsuit season is fast approaching and you're beginning to panic because your figure isn't exactly swimsuit-ready.

The swimsuits beginning to appear in store windows are a colorful reminder. The newest and hottest styles play off current runway trends from colorblocking and saturated solid colors to bright florals and exotic ethnic prints inspired by Africa and South America.

Take heart. There's still time to adjust your diet and physical activity to make some improvements before summer arrives. And even if you don't reach your goal, new suit designs are available this season that cleverly cover a multitude of flaws.

For issues anywhere between the neck and legs, the most forgiving swimsuit is the time-honored one-piece style. Many are constructed with hidden features to subtly enhance or minimize the bust, slim the waist and shape the derriere.

No swimwear designers can change your body, but they can help you create illusion -- which is every bit as good if you want confidence at the beach or pool.

"I only control between the shoulder blades and torso, so sometimes I'm amazed at what people want me to make happen," said Red Carter, who designed swimwear for Rampage and Oscar de la Renta before launching his own line six years ago. "You can do figure corrections and fix body flaws with separates. But if you're feeling uncomfortable with your body, a one-piece will hide everything."

In fact, after several seasons dominated by the bikini, the one-piece has returned strong in a range of styles as colorful and varied as the season's sportswear and daywear.

Lands End's "convertable slender dress" swimsuit with adjustable height.

"For a sexy twist on a classic, choose a one-piece with a keyhole cutout and spaghetti straps," suggested Marshalls style expert Amy Cafazzo. "Tankinis are the best of both worlds, offering the coverage of a one-piece with the hot style of a bikini."

Swimwear shoppers will find more fitting options in this season's selections.

Lands' End, for example, offers a "convertible slender dress" in four dark colors that can be adjusted higher or lower like window blinds to balance bust and hips and to accentuate leg height when worn with bikini bottoms.

And both Lands' End and Carol Wior Slimsuit offer drawstring-adjustable bottoms to help the wearer find the most desirable butt and upper-thigh coverage.

Fit and coverage are always the top concern for women when selecting swimwear. Once those concerns are addressed, the real fun can begin with sorting through color and print options.

Color mixing is a big trend, with prints in black and white and seemingly endless color combinations inspired by Pucci, Missoni, Pop Art and Art Deco.

Stripes, florals and plaids get a fresh twist with bold, inventive colors, sometimes getting added punch with flirty ruffles, sporty buckles, shiny appliques, ring-gathered fabric or sexy one-shoulder design.

Pareos, sarongs, tunics and shirt-style coverups come in lovely ethnic-inspired colors and patterns to make apres-swim a fashion statement all its own.

And don't forget essential accessories that are in style: a hat with a wide, floppy brim, big sunglasses to protect the peepers from UV rays, and a big straw or cloth beach tote to carry all your stuff.