I can so relate to everything said in the OP, and from others also!
I started LL in October 2011, and finished in December 2012. It worked really well for me and the support/forums really helped me keep going. I was 17 when I started and already at 22 1/2 stone. I didn't do anything your normal teenagers did, I was so isolated and decided enough was enough.
I started uni last September, and yes... making up for all those missed experiences has taken my eye off the ball a little with maintenance. I had just broke out of the habit of weighing daily and focused on trying to live my life instead of feeling guilt whenever 1lb crept on. Just to focus on how far I'd come and live in the moment!
I have hidden from scales since a visit to my GP at the back end of last year. I had gained 7lbs since Christmas 2012 and he gave me a pep talk about "not letting it all come back on". Like I'd let that happen?! I was consumed with such fear and guilt that ever since I've tried dieting to shift the weight, hiding from scales in the process. In the past year and a half since finishing LL I have gone from a size 10/12 to a 12/14. I have preferred focusing on clothes sizes instead of numbers - I intend on weighing myself once I can feel that I have made progress and am well on the wagon. I guess I just fear for my state of mind (before LL I put it off for ages thinking it was unachievable, I don't want to risk feeling like that again). It sounds silly and like I'm kidding myself, I know!
I am so determined to get back to the weight I was, to block out any negative comments in the process and KNOW that I feel more comfortable there.
I'm sure with one another's support we can all get there. It looks like such a long road but short term sacrifice for long term gain, huh?
Good luck girls!
Rachel x