i think everyone has periods that they do this. The worst thing you can do is give up, and i applaude you for not giving up! I had a slip for the labor day weekend, i went to a party and swore i wasn't going to drink and no cookies or whatever...and i did well food wise. But, they didn't have any diet soda and i had some rum and coke, (and a drink that my friend put the entire liquour cabinet in) and like six cookies. The next day I felt awful. But i'm not giving up! Don't give up! yay for perserverence!!!
and the whole not weighing yourself when you slip. I made that mistake.
I think you read my mind! Your post is almost exactly how I felt last week. I went off plan for about a week (got back on Friday). It was awful, I gained several pounds, and I felt pretty hopless!
The reason I got back on was not to keep losing weight, but because I felt so crappy eating that way. I knew with the beginning of the school year, my life would be easier if I put good foods in my body, even if it was more of an effort. I think it was a good realization to have, because I see how much more than just losing weight it is. The last time I was really sucessful is losing was when I wasn't worrying about scales or calories, but just about being healthy and feeling good. (Now it's just that pesky "keeping it off" that I have to work on!)
Kate, lapses are pretty normal and just about everyone has had them. The successful maintainers are the ones who learn to keep a lapse from turning into a full blown relapse. I'm so glad you're not beating yourself up for this becuase the fact that you've decided to get back on your feet shows that you've got the makings of a successful maintainer
OKAY WHAT'S WITH YOU CHICKS??
Step away from the fast food counter 
