I've been trying (sometimes harder than others) to lose weight permanently for over 12 years. Though I've never gotten back up to the 190 I started at, I've mostly hovered around 175-180. I attribute my success this time to lifting weights as heavy as I can stand, 30 minutes 3 times a week and cutting out diet soda, which in turn has led to increased coffee consumption. I've added a couple sessions on the elliptical machine each week and hiking a couple times a month. Now nearing the 150 mark and so far so good!