In the last couple of months I have come off maintenance with the intention to lose some more, only to really, really gain. It took awhile but it got there. I am not sure how much but it is at least 15 lbs.

I have in the past tried to share my sucess in the hope it would help, and have hesitated to share this. Embarassed I guess.

I have realized I can eat alot more now, and being absent minded about everything other than work, it was easy to do. Plus I am a depressed eater and my Mother passed away in January - it has really hit home as the holidays approached (Saturday was her birthday).

So now my goal is to get back on track.

I know I have "stretched" my stomach, but as to what that means exactly, or if it is permanent, or enough that it has to affect my goals I don't know, but it is going to be hard. I realized, in an odd way, that feeling of of fullness was a big pull to me. Once I let that back into the picture it went down hill from there.

I am going to do the boot camp, and then hopefully a lesser liquid diet, and then a full yoga-based fast. The fast is not for weight loss, it is for cleansing, and it is a reward for the rest, more than anything.

I really did not want to post this, but again I did. Hopefully for me the slip will make me realize more how important daily maintenance is, and if necessary I will get another job before it affects me this way again. I will do everything I can to resolve this. If anyone is in the same position maybe this will let you know you are not alone.

I am a reader - I dig and research, its just how I deal - so if you have links, books, etc you could cite, that would be really helpful, too.

I thought it took a tremendous amount of effort to get this far, but I now understand in a way I never did before that this is just the beginning. It never really ends - this is the disease, I guess. We keep it in remission but it is always there, ready to claim our progress. I have alot of thinking - and doing- coming about. It can linger and hover, but I not want to ever let it take over again the way I have over the last several weeks.

You are a success because you have recognised and acknowledged your gain. I really hope you get it under control xx

I am sorry you've had a tough year. I too eat my emotions. Thanks for your honesty! I needed to read this to know I'm not out to sea in a boat by myself. I've been struggling to eat healthy and really have no other exposure, other than this site, for support. I hope the rest of the holiday season is easier for you.

i have gained one pounds since i have been back to the doctor. I notice that i eat at work all day and i stop eating veg. I also, stop counting calories too. I tried on a pair of jean and they are tight, so i know i'm slipping. I need help trying to get back on track.

so i decided to count calories and again and do what i first did at the beginning. I need to stop using food as my cushion when I'm down and depress. I need to add activities to my life, which i don't know how to do that.

I don't have any links, but thank you for having the courage to share this with all of us. You will overcome. The great thing is that you figured it out now and are getting back on track.

You can gain the weight back. The first year, year and a half is great, but boy can I eat!!! This weekend I am going to chill with the eating. It is day three of no smoking and the week before my period so I just want to eat everything, but fortunately I can eat a little and feel satisfied, but that doesn't mean I stop eating I find myself eating and eating and eating. It is tough!!!!! But I never want to gain the weight back!!! So I am just going to have to be hungry sometimes!!

As long as you stay on course over the long run, you'll be fine. My surgery date was 9/25/2012 and I've lost about 40 pounds. I weight weekly and the only time I gained was when my friend visited and we did a food truck run where I ate a bunch of meat and sweets. After he left, I lost 3 pounds that following week.

Pookey- how are you doing now? Your post was VERY brave and I thank you for it. These are the posts that we learn from. It's not all sunshine and roses. This is hard work!