The Ink-Pot and the Palette

I had a flash of insight during a period of weight loss several years ago that mirrors what you are saying here. I realized then that weight loss was like a personal archaeology expedition. As the pounds come off, it's like reaching a new layer of personal history - and in a lifelong dieter, it can be both emotional layers and reminders of past "failures" - plateaus that were not patiently waited out, but that sparked a full rubber-band-snapping-back rebound into regained weight, with more besides.

Yes, the weight that you remember for triumphs and the weight that remind you of dismay - waiting to be "uncovered." I believe either might provoke a plateau response.