I'm a "lifer" too....
I have learned to eat differently. I now eat to maintain after losing 25 lbs way back in 1980. If I see myself gaining a bit too much, I jump back on to my lower point known foods. I do find that journalling is most helpful. If I don't journal, I gain......it's so easy to eat and to eat too much. Portion control is my mantra and for me, it works. Sometimes I rejoin online and within a short time, usually six months, I'm back to being able to maintain just fine. Good luck with your journey. While the meetings are kind of boring, you do get a lot of great tips.....especially if you are new to the program. You might want to go to meetings for a while and then graduate to online and then try it on your own. However, I would stay with the program for a year at least. And, as a non-paying member, you still can have access to a whole lot of great WWer sites and social encouragement.