If I eat like I used to eat, I will weigh what I used to weigh.

It finally clicked. I've lose weight plenty of times before. Usually, it's about 10 pounds in two months before something else takes priority, and I slowly put the weight back on over the course of six months to a year. Then it's lather, rinse, repeat. I've fluctuated between 195-205 more times than I care to count.

But I had a breakthrough as I logged my food on MFP yesterday. I stepped on the scale, I saw I had finally, finally dropped below 195 again, which was my goal weight for my Halloween weekend trip. It also happened I was celebrating my friend's birthday. Thanks to this sub, I knew to log my restaurant meal ahead of time, and budget my calories for the rest of the day accordingly. I "completed" my log, and MFP said I'd weigh 188.2 lbs in 5 weeks. Yay!

Except things didn't go as planned. Some unexpected things happened at work, which threw my eating schedule and plans out of whack. Plus there was Halloween chocolate, and just one of two fun size pieces couldn't hurt, right? (Who knows! The total of 8 pieces I had throughout the day definitely did hurt though.) And there was also cake. Ice cream cake. My two favorite foods combined into one amazing heavenly concoction. So of course I had some, even though I'd already had the chocolates.

After logging everything I ate, MFP said I'd weigh 197.9 lbs in five weeks. And that's when it clicked. If I eat like I used to eat, I'll end up weighing what I used to weigh.

I know myself enough well enough to know I won't turn down Carvel ice cream cake when it's in front of me, but I could have easily passed on the chocolates. Plus I knew this birthday celebration was coming. In the week leading up to it, I could have "saved" a few calories each day to be able to enjoy that treat and still reach my planned deficit for the week.

I don't believe in off limits foods, but that doesn't mean my habits surrounding those foods don't need to change. I can't eat like I used to eat. It's why I always end up around 200 pounds. If I want permanent results, I need permanent change.

Anyway, thanks for letting me rant! Hope you all enjoy any Halloween festivities you may be partaking in.