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

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.

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!!!

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.

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

I lost 120 lbs from 2017-2018. I was 37-38 years old. It's been over 4 years. Sorry not 5! LOL

Maintenance has been rougher than losing by far. A constant struggle. I was overexercising to keep the weight off before I got Covid in 2020. I had lung damage from it, now I cannot work out the way I did before in terms of intensity or time. I put on 20 lbs, and just keep losing and regaining 10 of it. I have had to accept that this is my new normal weight span. Radical acceptance. I also learned how my mental illnesses and neurodivergency create a struggle within me that can result in overeating. I have a motto.... "The work often changes, but never ends!". You cannot become complacent and unmindful once the weight is off.