The truth: Whether you're trying to lose or maintain, you'll be more successful if you weigh yourself every day. "Rather than compensating for a big gain down the line, you'll be motivated to make small changes to your diet or workout as you go along," says Jennifer Linde, Ph.D., the author of a recent study on the topic and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health in Minneapolis.

For best results, always weigh yourself at the same time, and in the same outfit, or nude. And keep in mind that it's normal for weight to fluctuate between one and three pounds a day, so don't worry if yours creeps up one day. If it stays up  -- or goes even higher  -- over the next few days, start making little adjustments to bring it back. It's a lot easier to lose two pounds than seven.

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