I did the HCG diet for 45 days and lost 40 pounds.  Then pretty much ever since that I've just been eating just lean meat, and organic fruit and veggies and a few nuts here and there for a total of only about 1000 calories a day.  Went from 38% body fat to 17% last I checked.  Havent had sugar, anything processed, or carbs in almost a year.  I replaced miracle noodles with anything that would normally have rice or pasta.  I've also went from pretty much eating out for every meal to only eating out a handful of times in the last year.  
I recently just started playing full court basketball once or twice a week for exercise.  I'm big into salt water reef tanks, which are very expensive.  So I started a business buy and selling entire tank set ups to help pay for my personal tank.  I specialize in huge tanks that are 180+ gallons.  So breaking down and moving 3000+ pound tanks every weeks gives you a really good workout.  
I'm the lightest I've been since 7th grade.... and by 30 pounds....