it has for me. i started april2011 and lost 10 pounds in the first 2 months or so. i have plateaued at 201 for the past 6 months. i don't track/input my daily calories any more but have a rough idea on how much i eat and snack each day. i do track exercise and burn 2200-3000+ per week. was working with a coach but we decided it was no longer needed.
so yes it is staying off and it isn't a hard challenge. i will get to 195 when i decide i really want to but right now i don't have the desire and i am ok with that.