When I was in my early 30's I had a stressful job and put on over 100 pounds. For years I had been fit but worked 120 hours a week and ran myself into the ground. I developed Type II diabetes and high blood pressure. My feet started turning purple. A normal airplane seat belt wasn't long enough. I couldn't shop in the regular clothes section anymore. The big one: I looked and felt like shit all the time.
I started losing with portion control and walking 5-10 miles a day as briskly as I could. I lost 40 pounds this way. I went back to eating vegetarian and then vegan which melted the pounds away. An extra bonus to going vegan: a lifetime of debilitating migraines suddenly vanished. I did gym workouts, body boarding, hiking and still lot of walking. And of course portion control. When my weight loss hit a stall, I went on a 3 month produce fast. It was only difficult the 1st 3 days and I wasn't starving. I felt awesome. I have SO many tips, tricks and ways I changed my life that it would be a novel if I wrote them here. Big ones: portion control, being present while I eat (not eating a driving, eating and walking), eat lots of produce and few processed foods, eat slower and drink tons of water. Yes, I pee a lot. For exercise I prefer walking outdoors, surfing, body boarding and hiking to the gym as I don't think prolonged gym workouts are sustainable for most people. I still do it but not religiously.
In the end I lost over 100 pounds over an almost 5 year period. Miracle: my diabetes is completely gone. High blood pressure gone. My vitals are so good at my last physical, the nurse said "you should put these on your refrigerator." I'm a 200 pound man and just today someone was giving me unsolicited diet advice to "lose those few extra." I'd be in sizzling shape if I lost about 12 more pounds but I don't think about it unless a well-meaning person gives me unsolicited advice. I'm happy with who I am.