Continued from Maureen McCormick: Weight Loss and Diet.

The holidays are the hardest time of year to avoid the temptation of calorie-laden food. Former Brady Bunch star Maureen McCormick is feeling the stress too. In a recent interview, McCormick discusses her unexpected weight gain.

What was the response of fans after you won Celebrity Fit Club? Incredible. Everywhere I went, people said, “Oh, I started a diet because of you.” I felt really, really loved.

What has it been like trying to keep the weight off? It’s so hard to keep it off! It’s a struggle that I’m sure I’ll have all of my life. I’m 5-foot-3 and small-boned, so every pound shows, and I’ve always had more of a round body than a straight body.

You weighed 116 pounds after the show, and now you’re at 126. What do you attribute that to? It just happened. I think when the show ended, it was kind of a relief to be able to eat because I was really, really strict during Celebrity Fit Club, and it’s hard to live that way all the time. I mean, I love to eat and party with friends. I was just eating too much again; I’m human. I’m trying to lose it again. I’d like to lose 10 pounds.

What were you eating that caused you to put on weight? My biggest weakness is sugar. I love chocolate, carbs and breads. I filmed Paula’s Party with Food Network chef Paula Deen. I said she had to cook somewhat healthy, but [then] I went to her restaurant in Savannah, Ga., and ate everything that was fried! It was bad, but I had to try it once. I had to have fried green tomatoes!

How did you feel as the weight started to creep back up? I was really frustrated. I was really discouraged, but it’s just something you have to deal with – you can’t let yourself get too discouraged or you will just go crazy. You have to go, “I’m dealing with this and I’m just going to control myself.”

Has your weight gone down yet? I don’t notice weight loss yet, but my clothes are starting to fit better. I’m a comfortable 6 – or a tight 4 – so I’m not discouraged.

Are you scared of gaining more weight during the holiday season? I actually can be really good during the winter months. I know a lot of people have a hard time, but for some reason, I get thinner in the winter. I think it’s because I’m outside more. I don’t care to be in the sun too much anymore because I’m older. When the sun isn’t out, I tend to go out and exercise more. [source: OK!]