How do slim women maintain their weight? Shape experts share weight loss tips that really work!

After losing weight, it's tempting to take a vacation from healthy eating habits. "Many dieters start slipping back into their old behaviors soon after dropping pounds," says Naomi Fukagawa, M.D., spokeswoman for the American Society for Nutrition.

But there are ways to stay on track without depriving yourself. As several new studies show, by making a few minor adjustments to your regular routine, you can hang on to those hard-earned losses for good.

# 1 of Shape’s diet tips: Weigh in Regularly

"Hopping on the scale consistently provides positive reinforcement for your healthy eating habits," says Meghan Butryn, Ph.D., an assistant professor of psychology at Drexel University. "It can also help you catch small gains before they escalate."

When Butryn and her research team studied the habits of adults who'd lost 30 pounds or more and kept it off for several years, they discovered that those who got on the scale consistently put on just 4 pounds in a year. However, the dieters whose weigh-ins declined in frequency gained back double that amount.

So exactly how often should you check in with your bathroom scale? Once a day, if possible. Dieters who did so were 82 percent more likely to maintain their loss over 18 months than those who monitored their progress less frequently, additional research shows. Butryn cautions that if the number on the scale rises by more than 1 or 2 pounds (an amount that could simply be due to water weight or a big meal), consider that a red flag to tweak your exercise and healthy eating habits.

Keep reading for weight loss tips that focus on how much protein you should eat and how many fruits and veggies you should consume each day.