Thanks for getting this back on track Ubee. I always love what you have to say!

Thanks for this...
For me it's not taking the time to exercise in some way. Or saying that I will do that workout later/tomorrow (again and again).
When I start telling myself that i will just cut the calories I am over from tomorrow.

activeadventurer thanks that means a lot coming from you!

Natasha, the taking it out of tomorrows food is so me.

This is a very helpful thread. I see a lot of these warning signs in myself when I'm about to "drop out", especially not logging my food, skipping exercise days, finishing whatever junk food might be in the house just so it's "easier" to start fresh. Well, here's to another fresh start, and this time I'm not waiting until the junk food is gone.

I am waking up from several months of "drop out." I got on the scale for the first time in a few months and I was not happy. I've experienced a lot of the signs of dropout discussed here, whether it's not logging my food daily, or not weighing in daily. It all boils down to a feeling of not wanting to be accountable to myself. I'm just thankful that this time I did not drop out for a year or more. I'm aware of what's going on and that I need to nip it in the bud so that I can get closer to my goal. Thanks for this post.

What I find scary is how I can be doing so well and then all of a sudden all those unhealthy thoughts fill my mind.
It can happen in a blink of the eye.

I agree. One of my triggers was a family wedding in April. I went off of my eating plan for a weekend and then I never seemed to get back on track with the same amount of discipline that I had before.

I had a family wedding in June. I made sure everyone on here knew about it so I would feel more accountable. Being active in a challenge helped.

I'm really worried about how I'm going to stay on track during our week-long vacation. It's our once-a-year chance to splurge on what we eat, so there will be steak and shrimp, and beer brats. Probably a trip to the root beer stand as well. My plan is that no matter what I eat, I will log it, and I will also bring an exercise DVD with me so I can keep up with that. Also, I can stick to my normal breakfast in the mornings and keep reading The Beck Diet Solution. I think those things will inspire me to keep on track as much as possible, and hopefully I can maintain and not gain.

Sencha when is your vacation?
Steak and shrimp are not that bad. It is the huge twice baked potato, corn, dinner roll and dessert added to it that make it all too much.
Beck has many great ideas for vacations.
Just keep a positive attitude and no matter what, check back in here as soon as you get back. ( If you don't stay in contact while away.) We will be here waiting for you!

I'm still here haven't dropped out this time (2nd time around)
However I might be a bit quiet whilst busy at work

Karencat how far did you make it last time when you dropped out?

Last time I dropped out at 248. Ever since I dropped below that I have a whole new attitude of I can do this!

Ubee, I will definitely stay in contact on my vacation, as long as I can remember my log-in information. I should probably write it down and take it with me. No need to worry about the "trimmings" that go with steak and shrimp. We're visiting my parents and they're not big eaters, so it will probably be the steak and shrimp plus a salad. I will check out what Beck has to say about vacations. I lost 3.6 pounds this past week so I'm feeling really positive about my weight loss at the moment. I certainly don't want to gain it back, so I will watch my portions and continue to log what I'm eating.

Great attitude Sencha!
This time around I am trying to keep posting even when I have a gain. Gaining is a part of this process. I want to be honest about it and stay on task. So many times we are like naughty children hiding behind the chair after we have done something wrong. We stop posting telling ourselves we will post when we get our weight back down. Then it just snowballs out of control.
I am done with the guilt. As long as I show an overall pattern of losing or maintaining every month I am happy with that. If not I sure as heck need support then more then ever!

I've had a weird couple of weeks of food and exercise. Mostly exercise. I'm definitely falling down on that. I have been sleeping in instead of getting up and getting on the elliptical and I feel it...but darn that extra hour of sleep (yes, it takes me an extra hour to get 20 minutes in) is just heaven. Eating out a bit much, but mostly planned and all accounted for. Still, I'm feeling kind of odd about the whole program right now.

Sencha - enjoy your vacation. Even if you aren't on program during it, if you do it mindfully and with knowledge that it's temporary...you'll be okay! You've got a great attitude!~