thanks so much to serendipity for this quote. i've been nervous thinking about my life when i transition back to all food. although it's a long way off, i think about it. i think one of my strategies will be to perform the slowest transition ever! and hopefully, learn new strategies as i go. but the truth is staring me in the face with this quote. "maintenance is one big plateau..." i'll never go back to the way i used to live or eat. and with the success i've had so far, i sure don't want to go back to that way of life. thanks to all who post here! your advice, shared experiences, wisdom, humor have helped me more that i could possibly express.