on the one hand I am happy for you...that you have come to peace with deciding to rest in this place for awhile. but knowing that you are a sugar addict, and not knowing if you've learned enough to cope...it's a lot like playing with fire. you just came back from your holiday, and throughout that time got further and further away from eating 'strict'...so I really can see how hard it would be to transition back - I'm sure you feel like you're constantly denying yourself. And that's not good for you. Or anybody. But this particular way of eating requires some considerable attention even to maintainance. use the free Atkins website to review the variety of items on the various food lists (at least as a guide) since you were only a little ways into OWL when you left for Spain. I would just hate to see you get overwhelmed by cravings again, and just throw out your resolve all together. (which you know has happened in the past.) You are certainly on a hectic pace this fall...so maybe a break is just the right thing for you...just hoping that means living a low carb lifestyle...and a break from trying to "diet". IMO, you are not transitioning to this as a 'lifestyle' if you are still feeling like you've been 'on a diet' or you are now coming 'off a diet', in the first place. Keeping yourself w/in that 2lb window should help greatly, and maybe once you've had a break, you can re-evaluate your 'lifestyle choice'...vs...just wanting to complete taking of unwanted weight. Wouldn't we all like to be thin, and eat whatever we want...but for most people with carb or sugar addictions, that is just not a reality. We can obviously eat them...just in very limited quanities, and on very seldom occasions. Are you thinking that is too hard for you to live with long term? I just hate the thought of seeing all the hard work you did - do an about face...so I am here for you. Pls let me know how I can best support you and what you are facing. Love.