Wendy---maybe you're right, b/c 2 of the pounds were GONE again, this morning. And I think your advice about weighing yourself 1 time per week is really good. I've been checking in every day (first thing in the morning) and it just adds to that feeling of having to obsess about it all the time. I think I'll put the scale in a closet and haul it out once a week. I DO think some of the up and down may be fluid retention--has to be, to appear and disappear like that within 24 hours.

Cyndi---it IS so hard to have to live this way. Sometimes it's really depressing to think of living this way forever, but I know that I'll have to, or the weight will just come right back on. Once I get to a target weight, I think I'll occasionally enjoy a weekend of NOT watching/counting/measuring, but it can't be a regular thing. THANKS for your salad dressing tip--actually I do like some of the creamier dressings sometimes, and I've learned to avoid them, but sometimes I miss them. At first, I hated using the thinner, vinegar based dressings, but now, I've learned to enjoy them. What's hard is craving something like tuna salad, and not being able to have the darned mayonaise. (I refuse to use fat free, yuck). It's pitiful when a plain tuna salad with no bread, even, has to be an occasional "treat"

Bob---I'd love to hear about how you quit smoking. I've decided NOT to try prior to my cruise b/c I know that the weight will become an issue. But I'm tired of being a slave to this disgusting habit. It's so awesome you quit!!!