But you can keep the weight you lose off and continue to lose as much as you need to by making a few simple changes.

These are just a few sure-fire ways to keep weight off:

Ditch your diets
A diet may help you lose weight initially, but if you can't keep it up for life, you're more likely to gain it back once you return to your old eating habits. That's why it's important to make healthy eating a lifestyle, not a diet. So instead of going on the latest crash diet, make small changes that will add up to much healthier eating overall. For instance, limit junk foods, and snack on fresh fruits, vegetables, or string cheese instead of potato chips or candy. Never skip meals either, as this can slow your metabolism and make you overeat later on.

Weigh yourself
People who have successfully kept pounds off always monitor their weight, so they can catch it before it gets out of hand. Weigh yourself once a week, in the morning, after you have used the bathroom to find out your true weight. Everyone's weight fluctuates, but more than 2 or 3 pounds means you might want to reevaluate your eating and exercise habits to keep your weight down. That way, 3 pounds doesn't turn into 5, 5 doesn't turn into 10, and so forth.

Make exercise a necessity
Exercise is crucial for maintaining your weight loss. Studies have shown that people who have successfully kept weight off have made exercise a part of their daily lives. If you want a sure fire way to keep pounds off, you will need to exercise. Find something you like to do, whether it's walking, exercise DVDs, swimming, or bike riding, and make it a point to get your heart rate up for at least 30 minutes 4 or 5 times a week. You will find it easier to maintain your weight.

Keep track of food
Many people seriously underestimate the calories they consume each day. Many people who have successfully lost weight and kept it off keep a food diary. Try it for a week and see what you find. Write down everything you put in your mouth, then add it up at the end of the day. What you find might shock you. Knowing you have to write everything down will keep you accountable to yourself.

Change what isn't working
Because maintaining weight loss is a lifelong commitment, you must have habits that work for you. For example, if you are only eating salads to keep your weight down but you hate salads, find something else. Or, if you dread going to the gym in the morning, go after work, or skip the gym and exercise outside instead. Maintaining your weight loss should feel natural, not forced.

Keeping weight off isn't always easy. But these sure fire ways to maintain your weight loss will help you to lose weight and keep it off.