Friends have various ways to lose weight. Some use the 5:2 and some Slimming World and some had surgery to make their stomach smaller. Some, like me, go to Weightwatchers. All of us, who have an online support group too, have lost weight and some of us have kept it off for years. It still goes up and down but at a lower level.
I was up to size 28 in 2000 after moving to a flat next door to Pizahut and a few ddoors away from Fish and chips, Chinese and kebabs. I also had fattening ready meals. I got to my goal weight in 2007 and was size 12/14. I lost 8 stones. I had cancer and didn't want it to come back. It took about 4 years in all. I began at Slimming World, thought I could do it alone, gained some back and went to WW.
I did gain a stone and a half when I didn't go to WW because of operation and moving house but have been at Gold since 2009 now. I never go over. The diet, and that of SW, are sensible eating, lots of veg and fruit and count the points if you want to but can be done without. I just go and weigh in weekly now and only rarely stay for the meeting, but while losing themeetings are vey helpful. Tips and encouragement and comparing stories with others who have similar problems.
I do love eating! I am a pig. I need to plan my intake and had to change my eating patterns. I also go to the gym and swim now and do tai chi. I feel better when i exercise as am very arthritic. I was unable to walk really more than 50 yds at size 28. The thing is you have to keep at it and lose slowly.
Oh you can get referred to WW and go free via your surgery!