Thanks everyone for your responses so far! I would say that the primary reason I became overweight was because I had a rough childhood. I was a very depressed child and I think I began using food to self-medicate (and I was very inactive, didn't want to do anything, no social life, reclusive). Now, I work out fairly regularly (at least 3-4 times per week) and have a reasonable diet normally (when I'm not drastically changing it to something "cleaner"). I just haven't been able to drop the rest of my extra weight, probably because I go in cycles of super strict diet and/or exercise adherence, exhaust myself mentally and emotionally, then blow it for weeks or months then back again.
Keith and Michelle: I think you're right in that I might be trying to "slam" changes in too rapidly. I am conscious of my impatience to a certain extent! I agree that 5 pounds (for example) a month is a fine achievement, especially over the longer term. I will definitely work more on progressive training rather than trying to slam major changes into my life. This is something I just wasn't seeing directly.
Dave: thanks for the link, the site looks quite interesting. I too have searched "out there" without success for far too long!
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