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Qualitative studies investigating weight management experiences are usually cross‐sectional or of short duration, which limits understanding of the long‐term challenges.

Eleven women [mean (SD) age 44.9 (9.8) years; body mass index 40.3 (4.0) kg m⁻²] participated in this longitudinal qualitative study, which included up to 20 weeks of total diet replacement (825–853 kcal day⁻¹) and ongoing support for weight loss maintenance (WLM), to 2 years. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted at baseline and programme end, as well as at key intervals during the intervention. Questions examined five theoretical themes: motivation, self‐regulation, habits, psychological resources and social/environmental influences. Data were coded and analysed in nvivo (https://qsrinternational.com/nvivo) using the framework method.

In total, 64 interviews were completed (median, n = 6 per …