Back on it!!!
 

So I feel like I need to post this as just part of accepting responsibility and moving on even though I don't feel superbad or superdown on myself. I am human. Life happens ya know?

So in the beginning of May I went on a two-week vacation. Relaxed everything during that time. Didn't lose anything and didn't do any damage. By May 29th, I had crossed the threshold to the 200s, getting as low as 297.6. Was feeling super good. It's a major achievement for me. Hadn't weighed that amount in over a decade.

Then the crap hit the fan at work. Super stressful and working lots of overtime. I kinda ate whatever my food-obsessed self wanted and was drinking alcohol several times a week - which I rarely do. I stopped exercising. I gained back around 13 lbs, but it feels like 30!! :(

Work is finally leveling out and I've told them no more overtime. Tough. Sacrificing my health for them is simply not worth it.

I learned that losing weight and stress: well, I don't handle that very well. lol That doesn't surprise me.

What surprised me was that I missed this! I missed not only how good I felt, but the whole process of losing weight. The challenge of meeting a caloric goal each day in the most inventive and delicious way I could; of meeting my exercise goal every week; of testing my patience and tenacity and meeting those mini-goals.

I'm happy to be back! Ready to get this 13 lbs off and go far, far beyond. I'm eyeing 240s in my mind as a major subgoal.

Thanks for reading. Just had to get it out!

Well you are back and you know what you need to do to get back on track. That's a big step.

I know how easily work and stress can derail a perfectly good diet. I find the most important thing for me to do is plan.

I MUST pack my lunch to take to work every night before I go to bed. No matter how tired I am or how good my intentions are to do it in the morning. I must also make sure I have healthy OP breakfast food in the house. I do this by having about 4 "go to" breakfasts and when I grocery shop each week I have enough breakfast stuff to get me through all week.

I also know when I eat right and exercise I don't get stressed out as easily. When I find myself reaching for sugary carby snacks (comfort foods) I try to remind myself that the few moments of pleasure I get from them will make for hours/days of misery later!

Best of luck on continued success!!

Cheers, Freckles. I am so impressed that you are back and ready for it so quickly, and have not been defeated by the stress and gain. Getting back on it sooner and sooner, I think, will be key to maintaining, right? I have been 'round this cart one two many times.

Planning is key for me, too. Breakfast and lunch is usually pretty easy, but dinner! Anyway, welcome back to it!