Back in the "dark ages" of my personal weight loss history (sadly not all that terribly long ago) I had only two "speeds" full-speed, maximum weight loss and full-speed maximum weight gain.
Learning to "take a break" from full speed loss, without embracing full speed gaining has been a life-changing experience.
Even though I still have ups and downs, they're nothing like the old ups and downs.
I can't remember the last time I "wished for death" because of severe abdominal pain from overeating. From the time I was 8 until about fifteen years ago, I felt that way at least once a week.
Just "not gaining" has been the most difficult, and the most rewarding lesson. Literally, if I never lose another pound, I will consider "not gaining" a huge achievement.
There is no shame or failure in deciding to maintain or even to allow yourself to gain during a break, but decide how long (or how much weight leeway) to allow yourself, so that you stay in control of the break.
Otherwise it's so easy to let the break get out of hand, and before you know it, you're no longer in the driver's seat on your weight management bus.
My only suggestion is to keep weighing regularly. I took a break from the scale for a month or two and ended up gaining 35 lbs (since I can gain 10 - 20 times as fast as I can lose).
Where you go and how you get there is entirely up to you.
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