My father has tried a wide variety of the fad diets of late and none of them got him anywhere. I've been a vegetarian (vegan to varying degree) for a decade now, but besides that I have been consciously focusing on my diet in ways other than the elimination of flesh for those ten years. I can't claim to have achieved anything near perfection (a diet will only work when it's properly supported by one's lifestyle, history and willpower), but my general principle of avoiding refined grains and sugars while eating five or six smaller meals a day has kept my weight reasonably stable over the last five or so years. I'm not sure how our lifestyles compare as far as hectic activity levels are concerned, but I'd recommend something akin to my personal diet to just about anyone. Anyway, my father finally started accepting my way of looking at diet and nutrition (albeit in his own way--which is the right approach) and has managed to get his weight down. Of course he still fluctuates, but I know he was able to lose 35 or so pounds last spring. Feel free to send me an e-mail if you're curious.