Sorry-LONG!

I started a diet 2 years and one month ago at which time I weighed 205 and I am 5'3.5", so pretty much where you are. I dieted many times in my 68 years, first time when I was 11 years old when my step-mom tried putting me on a diet, which had very limited success. (I cheated) Although I lost several times over the decades, the weight always came back. This time, that is an unacceptable outcome.

Two years ago, having been diagnosed with episodic Afib a couple years earlier, I had an episode, which lasted for maybe a minuted after I woke. That was the first one I'd had in at least a year and working first to not panic then to convert it, I was able to get back in rhythm but I HATED it. That day I looked up possible contributing factors and found that weight can be one. That day I decided I WOULD lose weight and keep it off.

I've had high blood pressure off and on for a long time, finally went on meds for it about 5 years ago because my efforts to lose weight to address it never panned out. I think the only other medical issue that might have kick my ass into loss mode would have been diabetes, mostly because I am a needle phobic and always thought I would probably just die if giving myself shots was the only thing preventing it. (had and uncle who had it, insulin dependent)

Anyway, I have lost the weight very slowly, in the two years I have lost 65 pounds, just getting to my goal of 140 in the past month. I did take off multiple months starting around Thanksgiving, both years. Switched to a maintenance program, which was good practice since long term is my real goal this time. I went with a simple calorie tracking plan, first year carried a small notebook all the time and wrote down everything. Next year I found a website that lets me track and looks up the calories for me. (the notebook was full)

In the past I have done Atkins (low-carb) lost well but not willing to give up carbs forever and when I put them back in, easy to regain. Tried several other types as well but calorie counting was always the easiest for me to live with, mostly because I didn't REALLY have to deprive myself of anything, just had to account for it and figure it into the day. Also, this time with the big goal of long-term maintenance, it seemed it would be the easiest to translate into long term eating patterns.

I did incorporate intermittent fasting into my days for about 5 months and it was helpful and easily managed with my late rising habits and late nights. Stopped during the winter break and never really started up again. It would probably had sped up my loss of the last 7 pounds, which have lingered way too long.

I to had a friend who had surgical intervention. She had lap-band done maybe 15 years ago, having been over 300 pounds at the time. It worked well for her initially and she dropped maybe 100 pounds. Then the loss slowed and "stalled". I think mostly, she found "work arounds" and fell victim to them. Things like eating stuff she hadn't for a while, like chocolate and eating it in small quantities at one time but multiple times a day.

In time, she began gaining weight, despite the band. She had it inflated more but that also proved to be a short-term fix. She is now considering gastric bypass, but has to meet several requirements before it will be covered by insurance. This includes working with a nutrition specialist for an extended time. I don't think that is going extremely well for her, in part due to her lifestyle which makes overindulgence VERY easy. (chronic tourist)

My opinion of surgical fixes is, there are ways around them. They can help in extreme cases but what makes them work is the dieter's commitment to losing, just like any other diet plan. If that commitment fades, the person is likely to find ways to overeat again even if there are more physical barriers to doing so. I hope you can find a diet plan that works well for you, sometimes it is getting the right fit that makes it a success. Keep us posted.

The only thing that worked for me after years of trying everything was a combination of intermittent fasting and basically, super low carbs/keto...I lost 46 pounds while eating butter, steaks, coffee, bacon, broccoli, blueberries, salads, etc. The thing I liked best was that eating high fat/protein curbed my hunger and it was easy to eat out anywhere...sure, I missed bread and stuff, but it was worth it because my entire family are addicted to carbs...

Not for everyone, that is for sure...it takes work in the beginning to get used to it...but now it is easy...I take no medications and was able to drop my blood pressure back to normal after losing 6 more pounds...I want to lose another 25-30...

I think for some people eating too many meals screws up your metabolism and makes you hungrier...look up Dr. Fung on YouTube...that is how I got started. Good luck...it is frustrating to be where you are, but to be honest, I have a dear friend who went through stomach surgery TWICE...he lost weight and then gained it all back...had another surgery and lost again...he is back to over 400 pounds.

215 is obese, but not to the point where you could lose it on your own...