Took me years to go from 220 to 160. I could stand to lose another 20-30, but I'm a bit stuck at the moment.
I can't blame my size on heredity. No one else in my family is/was overweight. My father could put away a meal that would feed 4 people. But he burned it off through almost constant physical labor. If he did gain a few pounds, he would simply cut out his bedtime snack for a day or two and voila! Back to normal weight.
People who don't have a problem with weight don't understand those of us who do. My Dad would say, "it's simple. Don't eat." Well, it isn't that easy.
Takes a lot of discipline, sensible eating and physical activity. Mental state is important too. So easy to let stress and depression derail weight. Support from others who understand what you're going through is a big plus. I'm lucky to have friends who support me, and since they share the same struggle, I can give support back to them.
It's important not to give up when the going gets tough. When I feel it's useless, I think about how far I've come since my 200+ days. That gives me the encouragement to keep on going.