I'm back and it feels oh, so good! I reached goal last July and decided that I didn't really need to phase off (I reached goal and went on vaction the same week). I came home from vacay, decided to start running and was dumb enough to think that running alone would keep the weight off. Long story short, I feel like I can now say that I'm a runner but I gained back half of what I lost during the process. Yes, while training for several 5ks and a half marathon, I found nearly 40 lbs. True testiment that my body needs IP.

So, I'm back, I'm 100% "all in" and I'm going to lose this weight I gained, phase out properly and never EVER do the rapid gain that I did this past 6 months. Glad to be back. These boards were a huge part of my success last year!

Good for you for not giving up!

I so needed to read this.

I'm SO close to my goal and the past two days I've been cheating with eating sweets. I cannot get myself to stop. Seriously, its so bad I dont even want to host my son's birthday party on Saturday because I just dont want to be near the cupcakes!! I can't even bake them, which kills me.

So, as of right now I'm getting back on track. Must.stay.away.from.crap!!!!

It's SO good to hear that if you phase off CORRECTLY you will be set up much better than not!

7 weeks-tops, if I stay on track!!

Welcome back and thank you for the good advice

Welcome back, I'm glad you are here. As long as we have breath in our body it is not too late to make a change.

Thank you for the cautionary tale, and keep up the good work of exercising and changing habits.

Welcome back! Good for you for not letting 40# turn into 80#.

I agree, these boards were a huge part of my success during the weight loss phase, and even through maintenance, they continue to be. I phased out properly and have been successfully maintaining for 6 months. I am still checking out these boards every day and we have quite a few maintainers threads that keep us all accountable. I don't know what I would do without it. As you are quite aware, losing is the easy part. Keeping it off is where the real work begins.

Glad to see you back, and make sure you stick around even after you hit goal

Welcome back, sorry to hear about your gain, but happy to see you are committing to fixing it. Thanks for sharing your story.

Good to see you back. Been struggling myself. Let's do this!

I have also been struggling...have had family in from both coasts to celebrate my son's graduation from HS and there has been CRAP FOOD everywhere...

Sadly, some of it found it's way into my mouth. for my first time ever on IP, I gained weight! I need to forgive myself for slipping, gather my resolve and go back on plan 100%!!!

Welcome back to IP. I did the same thing. Last summer after my daughter's wedding I didn't phase off with IV. So, I started eating like I had before including the sweets (which I love) and gained back all what I lost -- 30+ lbs.

Today is a new day! Welcome back.

Welcome back! Just do it one day at a time.

You're on tract again! Good for you!

Hi Ash,
Welcome back! Don't know if you remember me... I was on phase 1 with you and hit maintenance about a month after you... I'm currently in the midst of a reboot as well and like you found that running made me a whole lot hungrier! Especially for carbs . I tried to find a diet that would suit my more active life style as well and watched the scale start inching upward. Hard as it is for me to accept... Low carb has to be my way for life ... Sounds like you may be in the same boat with me...
You made the right decision in coming back to IP. It does work. And following phase 4 protocol works as well. There should still be a few familiar faces for you (Darbs, Determined, Pxlkitty, Maile, Wuv, Ishbel) and so many 'new friendly faces'. Congrats on the successful restart (you've already lost 7???!) it should go by pretty quick (it's never as quick as we want tho' is it? )...
The 100% thread is a great thread to participate in for full adherence to the program, there's the reboot thread for those that hit maintenance gained a bit and are looking to lose that bit and the maintenance thread...
Have to agree with Jennydoodle. Maintenance is hard but it's easier when you keep the support from this site. It's awesome to have the support during both weight loss and weight maintenance phases...