First, congratulations on shedding over 100 lbs! Good for you! You must feel much better!

It is not uncommon for people to pick some weight back up as a result of going back to some old patterns as we progress through time. It sounds like it might be time to reevaluate what you are eating among other things. Are you eating your protein first at 60-90 grams a day? Are you drinking at least 64 oz of water a day? Are you eating higher carb foods instead of protein? Are you eating 5-6 times a day to keep your metabolism going? Are you getting enough sleep? How much stress do you deal with on a day to day basis? Do you take your time when you eat and eat with pleasure and presence? These are just a few things to reevaluate.

You said you are always feeling like you are hungry and are trying to tell between head and gut hunger. In a recent post on head and gut hunger I provided a link that has the best explanation for head and gut hunger I have ever seen. http://psychologyofeating.com/wdep-video3/
When we think about food, we trigger hunger because of the chemistry that the brain releases. We satisfy head hunger when we eat with presence, attention, and aware participation. When we slow down our eating, take pleasure in our food, taste the food, smell the food, and feel satisfied with our food, then we satisfy both head and gut hunger and neither is left out. The video explains it much better. http://psychologyofeating.com/wdep-video3/

One other tool to consider is using a tapping technique called EFT. It is simple, easy, and effective. Farmgirl and I have used it for years with great results. This is a script for working through stress around food. http://www.thetappingsolution.com/tap7/ You can change up what you say and personalize your own thoughts and feelings and even go through the script multiple times covering different aspects of what you are experiencing. This is a fabulous tool to help you work through what you are feeling with your own words and beliefs of "I am gaining weight", "it's extremely frustrating ", "I don't know what it is I am doing wrong", "Im not lossing any weight", and "I don't think that I should be the size that I am". It might be time to consider changing what you are affirming for yourself in your powerful "I am" statements that I've listed, to some different affirmations that are more supportive for what you want for yourself. The more we affirm something, the more we make it real. If we want a different reality we have to change our thinking. We are here for you!

Oh Sister I know the frustration you are going thru. When I hit a pause or gain a few pounds, I go back to drinking only protein drinks for a few days. I don't get enough protein in each day. I just get my mind set there and do it. When it seems hard, I tell myself do it one day at a time, get thru one day and say, I lived thru yesterday and I can do it again today. Now I don't know if this is the right thing to do, but it works for me. You be good to yourself when we get down we get into the I don't give a hoot and stress kills us. Good luck, keep posting.

Thanks for sharing I appreciate it. I work at night so my sleep is not good. I'm always tired, I work 4 12 hours nights a week. I thought when I lost the weight I wouldn't be so tired all of the time. For the past 2 months I only been eating seafood and chicken. I don't drink sodas stopped that before the surgery. I will attempt my sweet tooth has come back strong. exercise is difficult for me because of my work schedule and to be honest I don't have the energy that I need and my arthritis is horrible. the most that I exercise and maybe two days out of a week 430 minutes that's not enough I know

Be strong and do the best you can. We all have challenges in our way, they are what makes us strong (who wants to be strong haha). You know the things to do and do one at a time, can't do everything today, you'll have nothing to do tomorrow. Acknowledge the great things you have accomplished. Good job.

I started to gain again when I went back to fast food. I cut it out and went from 225 to 212. Working nights is hard on the body. A y day shifts available. 10 isn't a big jump but you don't want it to go lighter. Like Lcat said, go back to the basics. Protein shakes at work, eggs and fruit for lunch, and a lean meat and veg at dinner. Throw in some protein bar or two. And lots of water. It helps with the head hunger.

I meant egg and fruit for breakfast

I think that self-awareness is crucial to ongoing weight loss as well as maintaining the new healthy weight level.

For me, that continues to mean writing down EVERYTHING I EAT AND DRINK. Everything. Even one bite. Just a taste--it all gets written into my Lose It app. That is what keeps me honest with myself about what I am actually doing.

Everything that Lcat4 said is right on. Just put it in black and white and you will soon see a pattern and will know what needs to change.

Good luck. :)

I need to learn to think a bit before I click Add.....

I wanted to add that it always comes down to the quality of nutrients you are consuming and how many calories they add up to. That is why an app or website that lets you enter your daily data is important.

I know that for myself, maintenance level eating is 70 grams of protein and 1,200 calories a day. If I eat fewer protein grams and more carbs, I gain weight. I have to vigorously monitor carbs to lose as well as to keep the weight off.

I'm fortunate that I don't actually experience true physical hunger. Most often, what I need is water. Water keeps the metabolism moving and flushes out toxins. Very important.

If activity is a problem, try walking around your workplace during breaks and lunch. Take stairs rather than the elevator, park a little further from the door...... there are lots of small changes that can be made that will add steps and it all helps. :)

Great tips from everyone. I am five months out from DS surgery. I haven't gained any weight back but I am starting to feel hunger more often and I am eating some things (sweets) that I shouldn't be. I didn't see this coming. I really thought the appetite was done with. I have to top the eating sweets pronto!

You've heard it from the best, so not much to add, but my 2 bits.

My big thing, besides starting every meal with protein and staying away from carbs, is water, water, water.

When I feel hungry and it's not meal time, I drink 16 oz. of water, then if I'm still hungry in half an hour, I can have a cheese stick or handful of nuts between meals. If I don't feel hungry at the half hour mark, I drink another 8-16 oz., what ever I can get in. Most often, 80% or better, I find the water backs off my hunger until my mealtime rolls around. That's how I know it's my head, not my tummy that's hungry.

You can get back on track and continue your amazing success....100 lbs is a HUGE success.... so don't forget to celebrate while climbing back on the protein wagon!

Lcat4 re: reply #1: THANK YOU! I totally needed the cited links. I have gained weight back and need to jump-start.

Nduring, thanks! I am always looking for tools to support my success