I need to have a conversation with food about this

Ok, so, I am trying to lose weight. My entire life I was thin, until about 5 years ago, when I started to gain. I actually was one of those people who could eat all I wanted and what I wanted and not gain weight. Because of that, I never had to diet (I know, wa wa, poor me, who cares). I did go on a diet last year for the first time and it worked--I lost 20 lbs. in about 4 mos., and guess what? I gained it all back, just like they say happens. Sometimes "they" are SMRT. Well, I am trying it again, and by gum, I hope to NOT gain it back, but it's not like I am Ms. Optimistic about anything, so we'll see.

Anyway, I started counting calories a few days ago (June 5) and my way of doing it is I just have to keep my daily caloric intake around a certain number, so, for instance, I can eat an oz. of potato chips, but that is 150 calories I can't have in some other form. It works out better than a no junk at all diet, because, for me, having one reduced fat Oreo cookie (50 cal.) is better than having no cookie at all.

Which brings me to today's breakfast. Tony wants to know if I can eat pancakes (he is thinking no), but it turns out that I can. So, he made me his signature delicious (dollar size in this case) pancakes. YUMMY. At ~425 calories (includes maple syrup and butter), not a bad deal at all. Here is a lovely picture that sums up my feelings (even though honey on ANYthing is blicky):