1. Build more lean muscle. You can maintain, or even increase, your metabolism by building more lean muscle. Experts say that "muscle has a higher metabolism than fat does". If you haven't trained with weights before, add this type of exercise to your workout routine and continue increasing the amount of weight you're lifting to keep your body challenged.

 

2.  Fight off hunger with more filling foods. Studies have shown that those who eat more filling foods that keep them satisfied for longer avoid weight gain the most. Foods that are filling are those high in fiber -- think fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains.

 

3. Avoid temptation. Weight is best controlled if you are good at resisting the temptation to binge on forbidden treats. This doesn't mean that you have to stop satisfying your sweet tooth but rather setting limits for yourself. You can avoid temptations by planning ahead when eating and banning your biggest weakness foods from your house.

 

4. Count calories. Another hallmark of successful weight maintenance is regularly counting your calories. You can do this by using a calculator to keep a running total of your calorie consumption throughout your day.

 

5. Plan your meals in advance. Having a meal-by-meal plan that you can stick to is a good guide to keep you on track.

 

6. Consider adding minutes to your exercise plan. It is recommended to exercise at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. To help maintain your weight, consider aiming for 60 to 90 minutes of physical activity every day.

 

7. Measure your portions. One of the biggest factors in maintaining your weight is by measuring portions sizes and fats, especially the most caloric foods. Don't feel like you need to carry a food scale with you everywhere, but instead, learn how to eyeball portion sizes at restaurants and immediately know how much to eat and how much to take home with you.

 

8. Weigh yourself daily. Studies show that people who weigh themselves once a day are twice as successful at keeping off the lost pounds than those who don't step on the scale as often.

 

9. Include dairy in your diet. Those who eat three or more servings of low-fat dairy are more likely to keep off the weight than those who eat one serving or less. Dairy also has the additional benefit of improving bone health.

 

10. Let your plate be your guide. When eating, try to have at least half your plate filled with vegetables and the remaining space should be divided evenly between whole grains and lean protein. If you decide to go back for seconds, limit yourself to fruit, low-fat dairy, or vegetables.