Anyone Lost Over 30 and kept it off for more than 5 years, who doesn't work in the fitness industry

Letsdothis749

Is there anyone here who has lost over 30 pounds and kept it off for more than 5 years, who doesn't work in the fitness industry, or a heavily appearance-biased field?

It seems like most of the people who keep it off work in fitness. I hope I'm wrong.

Other people can reply too, I'm just particularly interested in that group.

Chef_Barbell

Just about everyone who regularly contributes to the message boards including me... it's not that rare. 🤷‍♀️

Eddie__Jones

yes

Letsdothis749

Eddie__Jones wrote: »

yes

Congrats!
That's good to hear. Anyone else?

Annie42019

I am at 4 years. But my mom lost 60 pounds when she was in her 50's. She's almost 90 now and has kept it off.

Sand_TIger

I'm at about two and half years of keeping 30 pounds off but went on to lose over 60 more. I work an office desk job and hardly leave my house. So though I don't meet your five year mark yet, I'm sure I'll be able to even in my current situation.

AnnPT77

Yup. Lost 50+ pounds in 2015-16, from just over the line into class 1 obese to a healthy weight, and have been at a healthy weight since, though up and down a few pounds within the healthy BMI range across 2016-now. I'm 66, had been overweight to obese for around 30 years before 2015.

I don't work in any industry, let alone in fitness or one that's appearance-focused. I'm retired (from an IT career, not the most appearance-centric field ever, to say the least, especially in higher ed where I worked). I retired loooong before the weight loss.

Though I don't work in fitness, I'm very active, but I was very active for over 10 years while still obese (yes, really). At one point, I was coaching-certified in my sport (while staying fat, BTW), but out of simple interest for self-improvement, not to work at it as an occupation or avocation.

I'm probably one of the least appearance-centric women you would ever meet, honestly. I try to stay clean and respectable in order to have normal human social connections, but I'm not much interested in my appearance beyond that. I have undyed gray hair (long and rather untidy nowadays), never wear makeup, refuse to wear high heels even for dress-up, had bilateral mastectomies without reconstruction and now go through daily life without protheses so completely flat (even a little concave?) up top, among other things.

I like being thin because I'm objectively healthier (blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.) and feel. so. much. better.

IAmTheGlue

I’m down just over a hundred pounds from my highest weight, 92 since I joined MFP. I’m still losing weight, slowly at times and speeding along at others but I’m well more than 5 years from my initial weight loss of 50lbs.

I do not work at all. I’m a mother/ housewife. I’ve never even stepped foot in a gym, although I have built up a nice little home gym that works for me.

It can be done. CICO is not a trick. You can do it.

eenix0

Can't add anything, since I am definitely in the "I always gain it back" camp, but just wanted to say I'm so glad you posted this question! The responses make me feel more determined to keep it off this time. Sometimes it feels impossible, so it's good to be reminded of other people's long-term success stories!

justanotherloser007

Female 48 yo 5’3” (little shorty who was generally sedentary and often has to take prednisone and has mystery illnesses). Started MFP 6/2013 SW 277 by 6/2015 lost a little over 30 pounds to 240-247 and maintained that loss until Lent 2021 (six or seven years). That is a loss maintained, albeit at a hefty obese weight. I couldn't go into the attic, because that dang sticker "don't use if 250 lbs or more" generally haunted me and I wanted to be at least 10 lbs lighter than that sticker.

During Lent 2021 decided I was sick and tired of confessing gluttony to Father every single month, I chose to dedicate that whole Lent to really concentrating on dealing with my issue. In 2021, lost 57 lbs from May 1- Dec 31. I have lost a little more in 2022 so that I am at 153ish lbs this month.

My attitude has been "I can maintain or lose, but never gain!" If I had to sit at 245 lbs for 7 years, that was better than sitting at 277 for 7 years. This is my very slow journey. But the patience has really paid off. I know this is a journey. I am not really done, as I need to constantly pay attention to my food and fitness habits.

I was actually surprised that I could respond on this category, as it looks like my success has been quick and recent. But it actually started and I held the line much sooner than I thought when I looked back at my journey.

Maintenance at goal weight is something that I really, really, really look forward to, and I hope that I will be there someday. Maintenance at GW for me is 141lbs, a normal BMI. I am 12 lbs within goal. I have no idea when it will happen, because May 13th of this year I had a health crisis and had to maintain. So it is what it is, and it takes as long as it takes.

IAmTheGlue

I’m back to add a comment .. because I’m sick in bed and just thinking.

I think this may the the root of your question… how is it some people keep it off and some don’t?

All of this is my own personal opinion. Just some rando on the internet… so grain of salt and all that..

Well, one day, you will get sick of your own bull… ish and that will be the attempt that takes. One day you will get fed up with your own nonsense. One day you will say “enough is enough “ and do exactly what it takes to lose weight and … keep it off. It’s an actual brain change. Weight loss is a mental process.

Until that day, I think a lot of people are just floundering… buying shake weights and ab rollers and eating cabbage soup… (not that I don’t love cabbage soup), trying to find a magical combination of foods that melts away fat. Looking for a magic pill. There must be some secret that some people know and others don’t .

I just wanted to address all the “hoping for a miracle, hoping one day it will stay off “… the actual difference is not magic. It’s stick- to- it- iveness.

It’s getting up every day and making choices that bring you closer to your ideal life, your ideal weight, your ideal fitness.

I’m just some rando, but CICO works. It can and will work for you if you are just honest with yourself and log accurately.

There is a phrase about learning a new skill (and managing your weight is a skill) and that phrase is “embrace the suck”. There is a period of time when learning any new skill that you suck at it. Keep going. Learn from your mistakes, but just keep going.

You can do it. I believe in you. With all loving kindness… you *can* be a success story. Just keep going.

barbarabomberger51

Yes. I lost 100 pounds in 2013 and I gained twenty five of it back. I've now lost most of it again. I'm 70 years old. I an unique in that I 1. Gained almost 100 pounds at one time with depression at the death of my husband 2. Started at over 200 pounds because of that so I was above the 1700 calorie threshold by far. But I also did it without exercising for a third of the time because I was injured. However, at 70 I also admit that I will probably be never a tthe weight I "should be". Edited to ad that I di this only with Calorie counting, starting with Jenny Craig and then on my own. Nary a bar nor a shake or a wierd machine wa involved.

corinasue1143

Add one more. Lost 40 pounds in 2004-2005, still gone. Lots more needs to go!
Worked customer service, mostly telephone, now retired.

amandahowls

Lost 79 lbs between 2014 and 2018 by tracking food and fitness and changing eating style over time to mostly plant-based and fish. Haven't gained it back but also haven't managed to reach ultimate goal which is 30 lbs lighter than that, although I have gotten quite a bit fitter (and a size or two smaller) since then. 5 ft 3 female, desk job, now 59 yrs old. Daily walks plus cycling and rowing a few times a week depending on my schedule. Prior to 2014 tried WW but not for me. My progress is always VERY slow and programs like that don't encourage patience. Have now shifted my goal from lbs lost to inches (I go back and forth on how I measure progress, depending on which is more encouraging ) My waist is now 12 inches down from where I started and within 2 inches of goal. So I guess I'm a work in progress rather than an example of successful maintenance, but I look and feel better than I did before, so that's OK by me.

DonM46

I will be 76 in November.
Retired engineer.
I lost 39 pounds in 2011.
I've been +/- four pounds since then, almost 11 years, & still log my food every day. Currently, I have a 3,107-day streak going.

mmskrent

I lost 150 lbs between 2006 and 2009. Kept it all off until 2012 when I broke my back. Kept off all but 50lbs after my accident. Recently, I had cancer surgery. After that was able to get back on track by walking daily with my walker. I am now down 45 of those 50 lbs. I work as an Accountant which means I spend a lot of my time sitting at a desk. So my answer is yes. Just keep moving. I now walk 15,000 to 20,000 steps a day and eat a well balanced diet. So, I am 13 years out and still log my food.

mjglantz

I lost over 80 lbs and have kept it off over NINE years and I don't work in the fitness industry. Was 61 when I decided to change many things (slowly with small sustainable changes) and took about 1 1/2 years to lose the weight. I will say that it is easier to maintain now that I'm retired. Still tracking my food after all these years.
It can be done!

Mikeruns2021donotaddme

I have found luck and lost 80 pounds over 10 years ago and kept it off. I work as a supervisor in a production plant and found it was possible by changing my habits. I used to drink soda and eat chips like they were the only thing keeping me alive. I actually completely g substituted them with other healthier options and had a lot off success. I’ve also incorporated more exercise into my life but have found this was a key. I still am no where near a nutrition expert but I found cutting two major negatives made a huge impact for me.

cupcakesandproteinshakes

I lost 40 pounds about 12 years ago and kept it off. Calorie counting plain and simple. I also exercise regularly, cardio and resistance training. I didn’t follow a complicated diet, just ate plenty fruit and veg, lean protein and limited alcohol. And I continue to eat the same way today as when I was losing. Just in slightly bigger portions.

bojaantje3822

My cousin lost a bunch of weight before her wedding. She used to be a US size 12/UK16 and went down to a size US4/UK8. I think she's about 5'6 or 5'7. She got married in 2013 and after birthing 3 kids, she's still as skinny as she was on her wedding day. I have no idea what she did. She's a nurse and was one back then too. I got a bunch of her old clothes when I attended the wedding but I managed to outgrow them.

AmazonAndi78

Yes! I am over 40 and work in community support which is mostly sedentary. I lost over 100 lbs on WW back in 2004 and have fluctuated a lot due to having 2 kids and just life. However, I started logging on here in 2009 and have never been back up to my original weight. I'm about 70lbs less than my highest. I have exercised consistently (Big Peloton Fan now) and I log no matter what I eat for the accountability to myself. It can be done but it takes constant diligence and what some call a 'healthy obsession' with finding lower calorie options, exercising most days, and fighting negative thinking. I also gave up regular soda, juice, and most alcohol. I recommend a book called Brain Powered Weight Loss by Eliza Kingsford. It helped me understand the how and why of keeping weight off. Good luck!

myprivatepark

Yes, I'm 155 pounds down (75kg) since 2016. After all that work, and the skin removal surgery, there's no way in hell I'm backsliding. Librarian by work, so I sit about half a day, walk around half a day. I work out for between 1 to 2 hours every day (no rest days), eat wholefoods, and have never missed a Myfitnesspal calorie count since 2016. It takes discipline. "Suffer the pain of discipline now, or the pain of regret later" as the saying goes.

LYNCARR

In 2006, when I retired from a high-stress job at the age of 62, I was at an all-time high weight of 235. Today I weigh between 173 and 175, and am hoping to get down to 150. I've been overweight all my life, and as I get older, physical activity becomes increasingly difficult. But no, I don't work in the fitness industry. I watch my intake very, very carefully and usually try to keep it around 1200 calories a day. I belong to a TOPS chapter, which helps with accountability and support. (And, if you're new to weight-reduction and maintenance, lots of good ideas. If, however, you've been fighting this battle for decades, you already know the basics.) Believe me, if there were a Magic Pill or a One-Size-Fits-All diet, program, or book, it would be all over the media and your doctor would know about it. Some things that work for one person won't work for another. Keep searching, and don't wait until 5 pounds regained become 25 pounds regained.

sijomial

Yes.
Start weight 198lbs, currently 166lbs.
Was in an IT desk job when I lost weight but retired from full time work 5 years ago.
I'm a high-volume exerciser (especially since retirement gave me a lot more time) but appearance isn't the driving force for that.

Personally, I don't find weight maintenance particularly hard and don't need to log my food intake.
It was losing weight that eluded me for 20 years until I got my head in gear.
I weigh daily to keep an eye on the trend and my one hard rule for maintenance is that if I hit my upper weight limit I take action.

mmskrent

I recommend reading Dr. Phil's 20/20 Diet book. It has changed the way I look at eating and has given me the tools to eat healthy even when I cheat! My weight plateau was 192.1. I thought I would be stuck there forever. I was stuck there for 2 months. Since starting this diet in May I have lost 29 lbs. Only 8 more to go!!!

Zinka61

30LB loss for 7 years if you don't count small ups and downs in maintenance. Lost it in my 50's, and my main exercise is walking. It's not that unusual here.

fit4journey

Yes. I lost 67 pounds starting 7.5 years ago and ending about 6 years ago. At my worst regain, being when I started MFP this time, I was still 38 pounds lower than my highest weight. I am currently at 44 pounds below.

I work in IT, have a few sedentary hobbies and recently recovered from ankle surgery.

dcoglianese21

I have lost over 100lbs in the last few years. Just have to find what works for you and keep working on it. Looking to loose another 50 or 60.

vollkornbloedchen

Me ...
Got rid of roughly 120 lbs (53 kgs) in 2016 and still manage to stay within my goalweight-zone.

There are times when it is harder to achieve, but it works (for me).
And don't get it wrong: Work it is, and probably always will be ... You don't put off a lifetime (in my case: 55 years) of malnutrition in a few months.

cwolfman13

Yes, I lost 40 Lbs in 2012/2013 and kept it off 8 years until the pandemic hit. I'm an accountant with a desk job, but I'm also an active person outside of that. I'm not so much a "workout" kind of person...just more of an active recreation type person. Ride my bike, mountain bike, kayak, walk my dog, hike, swim, etc. Basically I like to play. My circle of friends are for the most part healthy and fit...most of them do not work in the fitness industry, they just lead active lifestyles and eat healthfully for the most part.

I put on about 20 Lbs through 2020 and 2021when my state was pretty much locked down and I was pretty much stuck at home for 18 months and I'm in the process of losing that now.

PAV8888

The most common is to lose and regain within a few months to a year.

Thousands of very stubborn and bright people lose weight. None of them plan to regain. There is, in my opinion, an over-estimation of the relative effectiveness of willpower vs hormones vs habits vs default (learned) behaviours.

So, IMHO, you have to look for answers beyond willpower.

You mentioned fitness industry. Think what it implies. Not the obvious answer of "exercise like crazy". For most people injuries, available time, aging, work, life will make exercise like crazy" a failed plan. BUT, it does imply both ongoing management and ongoing commitment, ongoing effort and ongoing time investment.

Not always at equal amounts. While maintenance for most of us is not fire and forget, it does get easier with time to the point where I would personally call it easy enough for me at this time.

Layered approach with multiple points of engagement and defense has been my approach to date. Multiple behavior and focus changes but gradually, over a considerable length of time. Gradual changes in preferences and default modes of interaction and reaction. Continued awareness. Continued willingness to adapt.

A definition of my "weight loss project" as a lose weight and maintain for at least five years project to begin with, as opposed to thinking of it as a lose weight project. An initial determination to transition from rapid loss to maintenance over a period of YEARS not months. A willingness to manage and counter changes GRADUALLY without over-reactions.

I am classified as very active (over 15K but under 20K steps a day on average during the past 6 years). By deliberate effort.
Yet, I seldom if ever recognizably exercise other than by walking up and down hills (with dog or to make phone calls or to listen to books or to get groceries)

Since 2016-06-06 between 159lbs and 151lbs in terms of weight trend... most of it around 155. Still in the 155 range in late July 2022