Reminds me of the old joke, "It now takes me all night, to do what I used to do all night."
Reading what everyone's written. I'd say that there's a bit of truth in what each of us has said.
Having served in the infantry and done elite endurance sports, for my money it all comes down to
calories in and calories out.
If you think about what our bodies were designed for. Essentially what few humans still do. Walking and
running many miles daily for a small return of protein. What a few remote tribes still do, to this day.
We've gone from that to picking up the phone, for a huge return of carbs.
Ten odd years ago, I was trying to lose the weight gain following a blown disc and a few years of excruciating pain and limited mobility. Luckily I had a walk of several k's right by the sea, literally on my doorstep. So motivating myself to do several k's at a brisk walk, first thing daily, wasn't a problem. I didn't alter my diet much, apart from drinking a lot more water and having fruit after meals instead of something sweet. I lost over a stone a month, over several months and it was the easiest weight loss I ever achieved. I was in my early 40's.
Unfortunately, shortly afterwards, I had two discs blow and have spent the last ten years in unbelievable pain and with limited mobility. An op wasn't an option due to complications. So, I'm right back where I started.
Over the summer, I started walking (more slowly) several miles a day and again, eating a more balanced diet.
Keeping a rough eye on calories in and calories out. Over the past several months, I've lost a consistent few kilos or half a stone a month. Most days, I'm in a huge amount of pain and I'm always knackered afterwards, but I have the joy of a big endorphin rush afterwards, which then motivates me to achieve other things.
This has been the toughest weight loss I've ever experienced. Apart from the odd selection or training course which was more extreme than I'll ever experience again.
This time around, my secret weapon besides another walk by the sea, is a walking buddy with a similar background. We keep each other in stitches every time we go out.
Like others here, I have goals which are dependant on me being fit. My goal is to spend most of the year sailing the different oceans. Its very achievable, if I can hack it physically.
Back to where I started. Most of the discipline is mental. All I'm doing again, is tweaking both eating and activities, as I go. Eating more fruit and especially veg. Calories in and calories out. It doesn't have to be much more complicated than that.