Dear Lynn:

Four years ago, I lost 43 pounds and kept it off for three years. Now I'm putting on weight -- 10 pounds in 9 months. I haven't changed my way of eating. I just haven't been walking as much as I used to because of my bad knee. My energy has really dropped, and my cholesterol has gone up. Although I eat a little cheese and red meat, I don't eat fried foods, butter, eggs or mayonnaise. Instead, I eat plenty of veggies, fruit, chicken, turkey and fish. What's wrong? Can you help me?

--Marnjoey

Dear Marnjoey:

Isn't it amazing how quickly we can regain weight, especially if we stop exercising? Since you say that your diet really hasn't changed, I have two recommendations:

1. Start moving. Find an activity you can do, and then do it. Try to spend as much time with this activity as you did walking.

2. Look at the portions of the foods you are eating. It's easy to eat 100-200 more calories a day than we really need, and that translates into gradual weight gain. Figure out how much you need to eat to feel satisfied, and try to determine whether and why you are overeating. But don't cut back drastically. Your goal should only be 100-200 calories a day less than you eat now.

You probably have less energy because when lost weight is regained, it's usually in the form of body fat, which weighs us down and makes us feel sluggish. Imagine carrying around a 15-pound backpack all day. Increasing your activity and decreasing your calorie intake slightly should do the trick.

Keep coming back here for support, encouragement, and pats on the back. We've got them all.