If you know that Christmas pound cake might result in some extra weight, it might be a good idea to lug out the scale this holiday season.

New research suggests weighing yourself daily could help prevent holiday weight gain. Holiday weight gain is a worry because many adults add weight each year, meaning many become overweight or even obese.

A study from the University of Georgia separated 111 adults between the ages of 18 and 65 into two groups. One group was asked to weigh themselves every day for 14 weeks beginning in November 2018 until after holiday festivities concluded.

Participants in the first group used scales provided by the university that gave researchers insights on weight fluctuations and targets. They were asked to do their best not to gain weight but were given no instruction on how to avoid doing so.

The second group acted as the control and were not asked to weigh themselves every day.

The researchers found that all the participants who completed a daily weight check avoided gaining weight during the holiday season. Some even lost weight. Those who did not weigh themselves every day gained weight.

Researchers think this simple trick to avoiding weight gain worked because constant weight reminders and daily weight targets incentivize people to stick to their diets or work harder to keep extra weight off. They said better weight awareness can lead to behavioral change since many of us are sensitive about the number on the scale.

In short: If you want to emerge this January no heavier than you were in November, it might be time to make friends with that scale. Or ask Santa to bring you one.