I know many of us have been trying to lose weight our whole adult lives, but how long have you been at it *this time*?

I've been working on losing this weight consistently for 2 years and 9 months now. I've had a string of a few days here and there that I felt out of control, but always got right back on and kept working at it. I am pretty proud of myself for doing this. I've been binge free for 12 weeks now.

i've been actively trying to lose weight since april, so this would be my second month. i'm pretty disappointed i haven't been consistent, but i'm not giving up.

Next Tuesday will make nine years for me. It took about a year to lose the weight and I'll spend the rest of my life working to keep it off.

Since May 1st, 2008, when I gave up sugar. So, just over 2 years total. However, I took a maintenance break of about 6 months from July through December last year, due to the stress of my mom's illness. I didn't really gain any weight during that time, though I do think I lost a little lean mass since I wasn't working out. Oh well.

Steadily since September 27 of 2008... so 20 months!

Meg, congrats on your upcoming anniversary!

February 13th of this year was when this big change hit. This is also the first time I've ever been successful. I NEVER thought I'd be back in a size 16 and still losing.

My two year anniversary was on the 8th of this month

I started in march....

This go round? December 26, 2009 was my start date. I didn't want my commitment to be a New Years Resolution thus likely to be broken, so I started 5 days early.

I started Jan 18th this year

This attempt started in January 2007. But it wasn't part of a New Year's resolution. It happened after I had a dark night of the soul (literally & figuratively) while at our company's annual offsite meeting in Las Vegas in the middle of January 2007.

I keep a diary, so I should look up the exact date & start commemorating it.

ETA: When I think of commemorating a date, I always think of Lori Bell's "March Forth" story. That one just won't leave me. I think because I felt as though I were reading about a conversion experience.

Right at 4 years--with 3 long maintenance breaks, slight re-gains but no major relapse.

Well, I'm not a member of this group, but I hope you don't mind me sharing what I went through. It has taken me about 5 years altogether. It took me a couple years of trial and error to go from 185 to 120. I maintained goal for a year and then gained about 25 lbs. back. I've been trying to get back on top of my weight gain ever since then. I did stop gaining, but now I am finally losing again, and on my way back to 120. My slip up was hard for me and I felt like I had literally lost my control over food/myself again. It did teach me a very important lesson though...I will NEVER think that I can "relax" during the holidays/any special occasion ever again. I had done so good during my year of maintaining, and felt completely in control of myself, so I deduced that I would be able to control myself with a relaxed attitude towards my eating during the holidays. By relaxed, I mean having more junk food than I would normally eat, not that I'm not comfortable/at ease with my normal, day to day, eating. Big mistake! Before I knew it, my cravings went out of control. I lost control of my cravings; they had taken over. It took me months, and a 25 lb. gain before I could get things back under control. I never realized before, until I went through that, how intense cravings can really be, and how out of control it leaves you feeling. I felt so helpless, but my light of hope was knowing that I had done it before and I could do it again. I just had to get a foothold again, which I have. I don't ever want to go through that experience again, and now I know what not to do so that I don't ever go through that again.

8 days for me!! You guys inspire me soooo much!! Especially the ones who are keeping it off!!! You go!!! I have lost and gained 100's of lbs in my life!! I am ready to lose and maintain!!

I have been on plan since the first of Sept, 2008 (can't say the exact day) so 20 months and some days. I have had an off day here and there but pretty much have been on plan. Some of your posts have made me feel better. Sometimes I get down on myself because I have not lost 100 pounds in a year. It is nice to know that I have some company in taking a little longer with weight loss.