Extra special! Maria Menounos shows off her perfectly toned bikini body in Bora Bora... despite claiming she has cellulite

PUBLISHED: 18:26, 24 June 2014 | UPDATED: 21:01, 24 June 2014

She recently put pen to paper with a debut book on diet and fitness.

And it seems television presenter Maria Menounos certainly knows her stuff.

The 36-year-old Extra presenter was pictured relaxing at the St Regis in Bora Bora on Monday, showing off her perfectly toned bikini body.

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Extra special! TV presenter Maria Menounos shows off her perfect bikini body in Bora Bora... despite recently claiming she has cellulite

Maria looked stunning in a red and white striped two-piece, as she splashed around in the sun.

Perhaps giving a clue as to how she stays so toned, the presenter was later seen enjoying a spot of paddle-boarding with a pal at the luxury resort.

Maria appeared to be having the holiday of a lifetime in Bora Bora, an island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia.

Alright for some: Maria appeared to be having the holiday of a lifetime in Bora Bora, an island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia

Not just a pretty face: The presenting talent is currently taking a break after promoting her new book The EveryGirl's Guide to Diet and Fitness

Believe it or not: Maria has revealed that before she hit her 20s, she was existing on a diet of fast food and eventually gained 40lbs in college

Beach beauty: Maria took part in an impromptu photo-session as she relaxed by a palm tree in Bora Bora

The presenting talent is currently taking a break after promoting her new book The EveryGirl's Guide to Diet and Fitness.

Opening up to the current issue of Health Magazine, Maria revealed that she is still her toughest critic when it comes to her body.

'If I were to take my jeans off right now, you would see pre-cellulite,' she told the publication.

She added: 'It doesn't look that good, but I'm OK with that. We're all human. If I want to get rid of it, I know what I have to do.'

Hard worker: Opening up to the current issue of Health Magazine, Maria has revealed that she is still her toughest critic when it comes to her body

Spring in her step: The Extra presenter showed off her toned and tanned body during her holiday

Splashing around: Maria, 36, is currently on holiday in Bora Bora

Maria also revealed that she began to lose weight in her early 20s, though it was not through a healthy diet.

'I was always running from place to place and the only thing I had time for was drive-through. Even though I was skinny I was eating so poorly that I landed in the hospital for dehydration and nutrient issues,' she said.

'Exhaustion and not eating properly caught up with me, and I got so sick in France when I was 22 or 23 years old that I was in the hospital for a week with a rare intestinal infection.'

Fun in the sun: Later, Maria showed off her trick for staying toned as she went paddle-boarding

Her secret: Paddle-boarding is said to feel effortless and tone your muscles to maximum effect

Enjoying the view: Maria and her pal did a number of stretches as they took in the stunning surroundings

Aloha! Maria was seen wearing flowers in her has she exercised with a friend on holiday

Not getting board yet! Maria was all smiles as she balanced whilst exercising

The star then promised that she would always put her health first, telling herself 'Skinny doesn't always mean healthy'.

Before she hit her 20s however, Maria gained around 40lbs after existing on a diet of late-night pizza and fast food.

What a difference: Maria has spoken about how she went up to a size 14 when she was at college

She told Ladies Home Journal in March: 'I could keep candy and chips in 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 wanted to nap all the time.'

Maria still maintains that her workouts on Dancing With The Stars was her best yet.

She told Health Magazine: 'I was rock solid. My but was like the wall. So I always tell people, "If you want a good body, go dancing!"'.