My whole life I fought the Battle of the Bulge, until I switched to eating fruit, veggies, fish and other lean meats in moderation, and began to maintain a steady exercise program. I was a distance runner and still heavy due to diet. For the past 4 years, I've maintained a steady weight of 165 pounds and am 5'9". This means I'm still heavy, but the weight is muscle as I have little fat. For me it was a question of survival. Now, I look forward to the exercise and really like the diet. 

Success is a combination of variables. One needs to keep trying as success is anything but assured. Moderation over time is key. I weigh myself daily, and a slight uptick means a day of more exercise and a little less food. I also eat complex carbs when I eat them at all. Balance in all things.Best of luck to all.