I'm losing some baby weight, and I'm while I've already lost quite a bit, I'm still not there.
My problem is this-I've been watching what I eat and exercising, but since Thanksgiving day I've been taking a break from dieting altogether. I have gained 5 pounds since then! Yes, I've been eating more, and making less healthy choices, but if you do the math I would have had to eat more than 20,000 calories over what I burn in these few days to gain this much-and I know I haven't come anywhere close to that. I'm talking about having snacks that I usually don't, like some chocolate or popcorn-and of course all the usual holiday foods like stuffing, potatos, etc. And this isn't the first time. I vacationed in Mexico this summer, and in 8 days I gained 10 pounds. How is this even possible? Does this mean I'm going to have to eat like a rabbit for the rest of my life?
Does anyone else have a similar problem, and if so, what the ***** do you do?

Couple of possible explanations. Is it your moontime, or near then? Most of us tend to retain water during that time, and we all know water weight is the fastest thing to gain or lose. Also, it could just be that you're bloated, for whatever reason. Probably because of the unhealthy food, rather than the quantity. Your body's gotten used to healthy food, and now it doesn't know what to do with junk, so it's acting funny.

It's most likely not "real" weight. Just get yourself back on-plan, and you'll see it fall right back off.

I do eat pretty light most of the time. I'm horrible about skipping meals because I'm always so busy.
Well, it's not yet my TOM, I'm right in the middle-so that doesn't explain it. I'm getting back on plan tomorrow, and I hope it goes quickly. It took me about a month to lose the 10 pounds I gained in Mexico (in 8 days)-so while that's faster than I usually lose, it hardly makes sense. Water weight should have come off faster I would think, and dang it it's just not fair.

This could have to do with increased sodium intake and the related water retention.

Water weight!

Less healthy food usually has more sodium. More sodium = more water retention. If you eat clean for a couple of days and really push the water (3-4 liters a day works for me), all of that water retention should drop down. I'd guess the most fat you could have actually gained would be a pound or so.

Water weight doesn't come off very fast if you don't push a ton of water, at least for me. I have to really focus on increasing water intake to lose water weight.