While it's always great to hear success stories, I think the broader point of this post (and others like it) is that there's no "great secret" to weight loss. There's no silver bullet and certainly no short cut. The simple truth is: people in the western world eat crap and don't exercise.
The success stories all boil down to a few simple points: eat real food, cut down on alcohol, and do some exercise that you find enjoyable enough to do it every day.
Agreed, this story is as much about self-motivation and determination as it is about weight loss techniques. They both go hand in hand. I saw myself at 192 and didn't like that number, so I got myself down to 174 after a year and maintain that weight. It's not a huge difference in size, but I feel better because of it. I also learned the value of staying away from bad habits, like junk food and sedentary activities.
The success stories all boil down to a few simple points: eat real food, cut down on alcohol, and do some exercise that you find enjoyable enough to do it every day.