I'm struggling to stay on track this Fall. There are a lot of factors, and I thought I'd list them here.

1. I love all the pumpkin donuts, munchkins, and other Fall treaties. It's very hard to resist.

2. I'm basically satisfied with my shape/size right now. I can wear most of my "skinny" clothes. I'm comfortable and that leads me to complacency.

3. Two weeks ago I stayed on track all week and maintained. Last week, I ate too many donuts, cookies, crackers, and other treats and maintained. Where's the reward for being good and/or punishment for being bad?

4. I'm walking home from work these days (about 2.5 miles), and that leaves me less motivated to work out.

#2 is most challenging. I like what I see in the mirror. I like catching a glimpse of my reflection in windows. I feel good, my bp is excellent (a little low, actually), and my weight isn't stopping me from doing what I want to do.

So why keep going? Why keep aiming for another 20 pounds? Why not be content?

1. I still have clothes that I want to wear that are too tight.

2. Metabolism and weight can be even more of a challenge after menopause. I want to enter menopause with good eating/exercise habits.

3. Even 20 pounds overweight can have negative health affects. I want to stay healthy so I can stay active, physically and mentally.

4. I still am very vulnerable to binge eating, especially with certain trigger foods. I need to keep a goal in mind to help prevent/limit binges.

Funny that I list clothes first! I never knew I was such a clothes horse!

#4 will always be a challenge, whether I'm trying to lose or maintaining. Avoiding triggers is the best strategy. I don't know if I'll ever be able to have *a* cookie and not want to eat the whole box. Recognizing triggers for what they are helps. If I look at a donut and want it, it helps to say to myself, "that's not just a donut. It's a trigger, and eating it will not satisfy you. You will keep eating eating, even though you're not hungry."