WeightWatchers type diets are a Godsend.
         After being 275 pounds with a 48 inch waist I got down to 186
about Sept 2009.  I started Apr 2009.  I did not start with the standard WW
diet but I later used their point system.  I started out with a crash diet
for 6 weeks and really knocked the poundage off.  Then I got sensible and
had two meals a day.  I never used my full points allotment but stayed at
about 80 percent there.  I may have erred as it seems I did lose some muscle
mass too.
I just bought a dozen 24 inch waist shorts and they fit wonderful.  As do my
new 34 inch slacks.  275 pounds was alot of garbage to be on a 5'-11-1/2"
frame.  I have been holding this new low weight for it seems a century.  I
bounce between 185.2 and 191.1 pounds.  (I was 185 pounds after Army Basic
Training).  I was 191 5 days ago and this morn I was 186.2.  (I cut back for
a few days)   I had alot of guidance from a medical friend here and a
relative in Florida, both that had used WW previsouly.
       Biggest benefit is my blood pressure was 150/110 Mar 1,2009.  I had
spent $500 on blood pressure pills in the previous 18 months to no avail.
Now my blood pressure is 100/50. Being 72 years old I was a prime candidate
for a stroke.  Probably a prime candidate even before I became an 'old
fart'.
      This summer I did alot of concrete work (home mixed).  I could not
believe how darn heavy a 90 pound sack of redi-mix is,  and how hard it is
to handle.  I had been carrying one of those on my frame for decades.
      I was most forunate that early I first learned the WW pitfall of
losing weight and then putting it right back on.  Diet prudence has to be an
eternal obsession.
     May all you be blessed with the same results I have been blessed with.