Yes. your advice is not significantly different than common advice on how to make it easy, and my personal experience with trying many, many things is that it is never actually easy.
Hah! A funny observation. No the weight loss and gain were not based on my ability to maintain that level. They were based on changing priorities. When I first started, I wanted to be a body builder (so I gained). Did it for a while, then wanted to be "athletic" (so I lost). Then I maintained for a while (focusing on career, lost a lot of weight from sedentary lifestyle). Then I wanted to be a powerlifter which required fluctuations in weight. Now I want to be a "strongman" (so I'm gaining). Btw I'm not a world class athelete. I never even compete. I just enjoy chasing the goals and seeing my body adapt. Its a fun hobby(-ies) that's all.
My change in weight reflects a change in priorities and habits. Not an inability to maintain.
