So I visited family last week and about halfway through, I stopped counting my calories and watching what I was eating. I knew better but I did it anyway. I kept up with my exercise but just didn't feel like counting calories. I knew I was going to gain. I weighed myself today and had gained 3 lbs. Instead of beating myself up, I am looking at this as a learning experience. This is what I learned:
1. I have more energy when I eat healthy and I feel better.
2. I am on the right track with the calorie counting.
3. I eat a lot more than I think I do.
4. When I reach my goal, I will need to have a plan to maintain.

Oh, and I am back to my plan today and it feels real good.

Great job getting right back on the wagon and becoming more self aware.

Wahoooo!!! Welcome back Ditto to cajun moma you are becoming more self aware and that is half the battle

When we get to maintenance, this is what it will be like. You know what you should eat without looking up every calorie. And when you have an off day or two, you just suck it up and go back to what you know works. Feeling good will replace the feeling of wanting to eat whatever is in front of you. By the time you get all the weight off, you'll know what to do to keep it off. Your maintenance plan will have developed itself along the way.

Great job at realizing what you need to do and then doing it. That's the whole battle.

Lin