If anyone has noticed, I have went AWOL from the forum for awhile. My stubborn sense of pride told me I could do it on my own and I didn't need to calorie count or account to anyone online. I knew the whole time that I was just fooling myself. The night time binges are back with a vengeance and I have given up on exercise other than walking and a bit of bike riding.
I am coming here, once again, feeling like a failure. I need to take the hint that I have to stay here on 3FC (not that it is a bad thing ) and I need to stay accountable for my choices. When I posted here, a big motivation was seeing my ticker under my posts. I loved the feeling of being able to drop it and I felt embarrassed to move it up. I think that fact alone, along with support from all you wonderful ladies, is what I need so I am back. Please kick my butt if I ever stray again! Now I must hang my head and go change my ticker to show my recent gain. I haven't done an official weigh in in awhile but I have a good idea I am around 150 again. I feel like crying but I am going to take it as a learning experience instead.

That's why these lifestyle changes are so hard. You CAN'T wing it - ever again. There is no, "Well, it's just one cookie" and so on.

But the good news for you, is that you learned that with gaining 10 lbs - not 100 pounds. So that in itself is a huge success!

Must be the day for butt kicking because I needed one today too. You lost over 100lbs and that is amazing, good for you for realizing that you do need support to keep it off. You rock lady!!

Thanks girls I was down to 143 at Christmas and this weight gain has slowly crept up on me since then. I am mad at myself but still glad that it is only seven pounds and not 70!

Welcome back =)

You've caught it in time, you're reeling it back in. You're doing all the right things now. Keep at it!

I respectfully and passionately DISAGREE with this. You CAN just eat one cookie. That IS what this journey should be about...learning MODERATION...you DON'T have to calorie count for the rest of your life. ALL or NOTHING life does NOT have to be.

That said....Rome wasn't built in a day and since this is a gradual process (learning moderation and changing lifelong eating habits), perhaps you "graduated" too soon!

Glad you didn't make the mistake of many (including myself) and wait until you gained ALL the weight back before doing something about it. A BIG in order on that tip! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

THIS!

Catching it at 7 pounds not 70!

This is what I find inspirational.

Bravo!! A month or so from now this will be a distant memory

I think that is so awesome how you were in tune with your body to know that it was time to use some tools to keep the weight off. You are an inspiration.

No I don't agree. I didn't mean you can't HAVE a cookie, but you have to keep with a plan of eating. if you have that cookie, that means you need to make a cut somewhere else or up the exercise, and so on.

I do plan to keep track of my eating maybe not forever, but for a very long time and to 'spot check' myself to make sure I'm staying within reason. Beyond that, I plan to have a pant size test. Never allowed to buy the next size up because that means I've gained weight and need to lose. Lose it - not buy up.

i agree with the others, you caught yourself at 7 lbs...and not 20, 50, or 70, that alone is an accomplishment.

Everyone's posts mean a lot. I needed another reminder of my goals today and I got it here! Thanks again

Well just reread your quote about getting back up. That says it all. And the fact you caught your gain when it didn't get out of hand. Congrats to you for coming back and using the tools that helped you be so successful. Never feel embarrassed or ashamed.

Also I would just like to add that unfortunately anyone who has ever been overweight or seriously overweight and lost weight we have fat cells that have shrunk but never gone. Therefore we need to be extra diligent and stay on top of our healthy lifestyle because those fat cells are just waiting to fill back up. When we get comfortable and think oh we don't have to track or be accountable for a while. Thinking we have those extra slices of pizza or cookies without making adjustments. That's when it's a slippery slope.
So yes I do believe if you have ever had a weight issue you do need to track and be accountable for life. Not obsessive just extra aware.

I completely agree with that! I feel like my body is just waiting to fill those cells again. Every bit of fat I have gained went right back on my stomach, my most hated and toughest area to lose from. I am no longer obsessively counting calories like I used to because I feel like, after a year and an half of doing it, I am pretty good at judging, but only when I am being true to myself and staying on plan. I eat the same breakfast and lunch every day then I count my dinner. So far that is working for me, again, only when I decide to stay on track. Now i just need to find that strength and STAY on track for good