So I had my first post-vacation weigh-in this morning, and I am up 1.8 pounds from last week.

I looked over my food for the week, and it turned out I averaged about 500 calories more each day than I have been eating since May 1, so I'm hoping that extra .8 "settles out" in the next few days. TOM started this morning, too. I don't usually see a big weight gain from that but if it is contributing even 1/2 lb that would explain some of my gain. As would the big pint of beer last night, three diet sodas yesterday, and salty Peruvian chicken for dinner...

However, I'm also wondering how accurate my calories were this past week. I did not have my food scale with me on the boardwalk to weigh my ice cream cones.

So I am here this morning to re-commit to clean eating and careful counting. I bite it, I write it. Lots of water. No alcohol during the week (except for dinner out one night). Target of 1,600 calories. Time to buckle down and get to goal!

I went on vacation in May and afterward the scale said I was up "5" pounds. I went back to my regular eating plan & in about 4 or 5 days, I was back to my pre-vacation weight.

Wow, I lost 5 pounds in 5 days. I should write a book about it.

Your gain is mostly water weight. It will likely come off fast.

Jemappelle, you can do it!

I was amazingly OP yesterday. It was so much easier being at home and being back in my routine. I am starting to lose the vacation bloat -- down to 125.6 today.

This morning I took the kids to swim team and found myself constantly handing snacks to my toddler. Just try handing goldfish crackers, a few at a time, to a little kid without sneaking a few of your own! It's pretty darn hard. I am going to plan ahead a little better and bring lots of cut-up fruit for them to eat at the pool. I know I can overeat fruit, but I feel better snacking on that than snacking on crackers. Or I could bring cantaloupe and honeydew for them, which they love but I don't really like. That might be the best -- healthy for them, not tempting for me!

Here's to another day OP.

MC, you were so right! Back to 124.2 today, and feeling really good after a couple days on plan.

And if you ever write that 5 pounds in 5 days book, put me down for an advance copy.

I finished exams on 31st May and had graduation on Saturday. Between those two days I went out pretty much every night and was hard to maintain my plan.

Although at some points I went up to 127 (from 122), braved the scales this morning and I was 124.4. So I'm hoping that I should lose my 'party pounds' this week too.

Good luck with the last 2 pounds thesame7lbs, what is your plan for when you reach 123?

Why, lower my goal again, of course!

LOL, mostly kidding. I'm at 123.8 today and thinking I'm going to up my calories about 100/day and see if I can sloooooowly lose a couple more pounds so that 124 is my "red flag" weight, where I have to make sure I'm being strict with my plan.

I'm also doing some more weight training so that might add a couple lbs over time... or might increase my metabolism a bit?

I'm interested to see how much my weight bounces around -- if I'll be up and down a pound or two, or two or three, or more?

I'm also completely befuddled about buying new clothes. I love to shop, and I have to admit that I am pretty spendy. I love designer jeans. But I'm afraid to buy things that fit now. I feel like I should, because I am committed to staying at this weight, and if I don't, I'm lending credence to that annoying b**** of a voice in the back of my head that tells me I'm bound to gain it all back... but I'm not keen on buying a bunch of things that will later taunt me... as it is, many of my things are falling off my hips, and when I belt them, they look like clown pants, or I look all dumpy. I want to show off my new shape!

Congratulations on graduating! And on seeing those party pounds come off. I have some pretty horrid pictures from my college graduation (16 years ago) -- all bloated and horrible looking from all that post-exam celebrating...

I am finishing day 3 being back on plan strictly. I also joined a gym today and plan to crosstrain as I am currently a runner. I would love to be solidly in the 120's--even upper 120's would be okay.

What a difference the last few pounds make!