The irony of the moment for me is that so much is simultaneously falling in place and falling apart. My new job seems to be a good match –professionally and personally– and my WeightWatchers meetings suddenly seem to be taking off really well. At the same time, my eating is on shaky ground, and my exercise is wobbling around all over the place.

This morning I got on the scale and saw a number I swore I wasn’t going to see again. Unfortunately, NOT getting on the scale is what made that happen. So it’s back to seeing reality every morning again. At least for a while.

As I’ve told meeting members many times over the years, the best thing you can do at a time like this is to hold the line. So often a regain turns into a relapse because it gives rise to feelings of hopelessness and worry. The scale registers a five pound gain, and then we equate that with failure.

Our next stop? The donut shop.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned through this is that it’s not just the “bad stuff” that can send us over the edge. Sure, it’s expected that we’ll overeat if we’re stressed at work, the cat dies, or we get slighted by a friend. But I don’t think we always pay attention to the fact that falling in love, landing a new job, or getting some great financial news can also send us spinning out of control.

Right now, living through a mix of the good (work!) and the bad (injury!), I’ve got it coming from both sides. Stress city! Sticking to healthy snacks and doing my best to remain active is the only thing that’s going to work.

That, and not giving up.