This was a comment in response to an amazing blog entry by Diane at Fit to the Finish, and was applicable enough to my current issues that it deserves a repost here:

Life will happen during our weight loss and maintenance, but that is not a reason to regain. We can maintain with focus and commitment.

I am slightly worried about what will happen in the next year. I am PLANNING on having another baby in the middle of my weight loss, when I get below 200, and we want at least four more children, total, if the Lord chooses to bless us with them. While that is a wonderful thing, by it’s very nature it almost requires a little weight gain and disruption to life’s daily pattern. I only hope that I have now solidified the habits that are needed to healthfully drop weight post-baby, so I can make a predictable cycle out of the gain and subsequent recovery.

My husband also JUST decided to go forward with starting a new business while working at his old job. It has been a long time dream of his and he had my total support and excitement, but it requires he be gone additional hours each day to complete the work – from 6 am to 8 pm Monday-Friday, and most of the day Saturday as well. I confess I am worried that in loneliness and stress of managing the kids and house essentially alone that I may slip back into emotional eating. In this case I am just going to grit my teeth and focus – journaling food and lots of prayer are what I need to depend on, rather than the crunch of a chip. So yes, life happens but you and many others prove that one can thrive regardless, and that is what I intend to do.

I agree just need to remember that this is ME, my new normal, not something I have the option of putting off and on when life gets hairy. I planned my habits to fit into the long haul and by the grace of God I will work at maintaining, because the other option is a non-option if I am being a good steward of my body and resources, and focusing on life’s real priorities.

In other news, after getting some more sleep and eating a little less salt I weighed in at 214.8 this morning (this is AFTER eating breakfast) so I know that despite my freakish three pound gain for half the week that I am still on the right track. I also realize that I really do benefit from eating more cleanly when it comes to bread products - moderation and whole grains or I feel like crud! One final tidbit I (re)discovered is that I lose best and feel best when I get my half hour in on the bike, as I did most days this week. Duh, right? I should read my own blogs from time to time to remember what habits got me down this low to begin with!

Many thanks to Diane for sparking this post! I am off to Ladies Craft Night this evening and so need some prayer that I am moderate in my eating during fellowship, but I'm really not too concerned with it in the long haul - I know how to succeed in dropping weight, I just need to get up more times than I fall down. And quite frankly, one night of overdoing it on salsa, chips, and cookies did not make me 120 pounds overweight - it was a plethora of consistent overeating and sedentary behaviors. So while I see no need to gorge during fellowship I also am reminded that enjoying company and food once in a blue moon does not a month-long binge make. I have half a dozen craft nights under my belt with no significant blips in my weight loss, now I just need a lifetime more of the same moderation that got me here and I'll be set!