Dr. Oz's two-step plan to outsmart weight gain

Want to prevent needing to use a wider belt notch? Make these two easy steps to help curb weight gain:

1. Steer clear of the crack cocaine of food: simple carbs. They’re totally addictive — the more you eat, the more you want. That’s why when you have a soft drink with a meal, not only do you get an extra 160 calories from the drink, but you’re also more likely to eat additional calories that you wouldn’t have wanted without the drink.

2. Sneak in muscle-building exercise every chance you get: Sit on an exercise ball at your desk, do planks or squats during commercial breaks and balance on one foot while brushing your teeth.

Bottom line: Muscles burn up to three times more calories than fat, even at rest. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn — 24 hours a day!

For more tips from Dr. Oz, click here.