I have to agree with the others on this thread. I have failed so many times in the past. But I do consider myself a success. I have truly come to ebrace several "secrets" or truths of long term weight loss. ( I'm 5'4": I was 180lbs most of my adult life, and lost 50lbs 6 yrs ago, and have since had 3 children and worked my way back down after each one.)
1) Start slow. Make small changes to your life, and then add onto them as you become more healthy. For example, when I first made the decision that this was it, the only thing that I changed was that I would no longer ask my husband to get me food or drinks from the kitchen. If I wanted it, I would get my butt off the couch and get it myself. Then I told my husband that I would bring out the garbage from that point on. - small amount of activity.
2) I have come to realize that I did not get overweight because of one meal, one week, or even one month. If I fall off the "weight Watchers Wagon", I always get back on. So sometimes I may gain a pound of two, but the reason I am not back to my top weight is that I try not to get down on myself, and to know that
each food choice that I make can either make me healthier or fatter. I choose healthier.
3) Finally - activity or exercise. That is the one area that I was missing in all the other times I tried to lose weight. Find what you can do. Walk, play frisbee, walk in place in front of the tv. One small change that I have made 6 yrs ago, is that I always park my car in the furthest parking spot in store lot. Every step counts and, hey, who really wants to compete with another car for that one best spot!
But keep the faith - it definately can be done, and we all can be healthy and strong.
Glad you are here.