Can it be that simple?

Deb_140

Disclaimer: Habitual starter

I feel so overwhelmed, I feel like I spend so much time reading about how to lose weight and be healthy. Keto, Intermittent Fasting, etc...trying to find the perfect "lifestyle" (aka diet). How many people lost weight with just calorie counting, (eating carbs, sugar, alcohol, whatever) and exercise? Good old fashion calories in/calories out? Can it really be that easy and be a success?

MikePTY

Yes, it really can be! Those other things work for some people, but anyone who is telling you that doing "x" diet is the only way to lose weight is usually trying to sell you something.

I've lost almost 25 pounds so far eating cheeseburgers, tacos, sushi, etc. Just within moderation and taking into account my calorie goals.

Weight loss is ALWAYS just calories in vs calories out. Any other diet such as Keto, IF, Paleo, whichever, is just a mechanism to get your body to take in less calories than it burns. There's no sort of magic bullet with them, and you can totally lose weight just eating what you want but counting your calories. It's how the majority of us have done it.

cbs1974

Yep , Its simple - But does not happen overnight , and in reality its not simple there is a lot of sweat and tears involved and a small amount of mental will power .
You can do it , set a date be prepared and start again and never look back.

DevilsFan1

Yes, it is that simple, but you have to be honest and diligent about your diet. That means getting a food scale and weighing everything you eat. Weigh yourself every day at the same time. Try to avoid eating at restaurants because it's often impossible to know exactly how many calories you're eating. When I'm trying to lose weight, I simplify my diet and often eat the same things day after day, but I still weigh my food as much as possible. I'm currently trying to lose 18 pounds. I started tracking my calories last Monday. I'm on an 1800/day regimen which is pretty agressive given my level of activity, but I've found it perfectly doable so far. As of today, I've lost six pounds so far, most of which is water weight, but I'd estimate at least two pounds of fat loss too. I eat a few snacks here and there and have an occasional drink, but calories are the key - really the only thing that matters for weight loss.

My diary is public, so check it out if you want an example of how calorie counting works. Good luck!

psuLemon

I lost 50lbs and kept it off just focusing on counting calories. And that was 6 or 7 years ago Kept it off ever since. I did focus on whole foods and protein outside of calories.

lulehlu

Yes, that’s how I lost my weight. It’s hard at times. It’s boring at times. Sonetimes you want the damn cookie. But if you eat in a deficit, you will lose fat. Get a food scale and read up in water weight.

estherdragonbat

Yes, that's been my focus from the start. Over time, as I've learned what foods keep me fuller and give me more energy, I've paid attention to getting enough protein, iron, and fiber. But for weight loss, it all comes down to calories. The other stuff? How I avoid feeling hungry and deprived while not eating as much as I want of everything I want.

TavistockToad

Deb_140 wrote: »

Disclaimer: Habitual starter

I feel so overwhelmed, I feel like I spend so much time reading about how to lose weight and be healthy. Keto, Intermittent Fasting, etc...trying to find the perfect "lifestyle" (aka diet). How many people lost weight with just calorie counting, (eating carbs, sugar, alcohol, whatever) and exercise? Good old fashion calories in/calories out? Can it really be that easy and be a success?

Yes it is that simple... it's just not always easy!

janalo55

Deb_140 wrote: »

Disclaimer: Habitual starter

I feel so overwhelmed, I feel like I spend so much time reading about how to lose weight and be healthy. Keto, Intermittent Fasting, etc...trying to find the perfect "lifestyle" (aka diet). How many people lost weight with just calorie counting, (eating carbs, sugar, alcohol, whatever) and exercise? Good old fashion calories in/calories out? Can it really be that easy and be a success?

bwogilvie

TavistockToad wrote: »

Yes it is that simple... it's just not always easy!

Seconding this point. The fact that the basic principles are simple doesn't mean that it's easy. For the first few weeks of a serious calorie deficit, your body is going to respond by making you hungry. I found that after that, it gets easier.

janalo55

I’ve lost 104. Had 4 thin mints yesterday. But I counted them, along with everything else. All of my food is limited, compared to the old me. But I haven’t cut OUT anything.

rainbow198

I never followed any diets, but watching what and how much I eat allows me to fit in things I want.

Also, planning and prepping as best as I can helps me a great deal and keeps me in control.

I've lost over 80 pounds and kept it off for almost six years eating this way. For me it is that simple.

However, it did take me some time to figure things out since I was used to eating whatever I wanted whenever I wanted for most of my life.

rosiorama

Yup. Calorie counting works. EVERY diet out there works by eating fewer calories than your body uses.

I eat all the food: I just eat within my daily calorie budget as best I can. Certain foods aren’t “bad” - as soon as you cut out the bad ones, your focus becomes: when CAN I eat them? I don’t think that’s healthy or sustainable longterm. You can eat anything you want - you just need to eat within your calorie range.

If you want to eat the cookie? Eat it... but you have to cut something else back that day to make the cookie (or beer or ice cream) fit into your limit.

To lose weight you just need time and you meed to eat at a deficit. That’s it.

mph323

Check out the Success Stories and Maintaining Weight forums for inspiration. Plenty of people lose weight and keep it off by simply counting calories. I'm one of them

kami3006

Deb_140 wrote: »

Disclaimer: Habitual starter

I feel so overwhelmed, I feel like I spend so much time reading about how to lose weight and be healthy. Keto, Intermittent Fasting, etc...trying to find the perfect "lifestyle" (aka diet). How many people lost weight with just calorie counting, (eating carbs, sugar, alcohol, whatever) and exercise? Good old fashion calories in/calories out? Can it really be that easy and be a success?

I've lost, bulked and maintained just by manipulating my calories.

I eat a balanced diet without excluding any foods I want. Nutrition is important, but it's calories that determine weight.

NovusDies

The below is my ongoing story:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10731694/after-a-year-over-150lbs-lost-learned-a-few-things/p1

Panini911

Deb_140 wrote: »

Disclaimer: Habitual starter

I feel so overwhelmed, I feel like I spend so much time reading about how to lose weight and be healthy. Keto, Intermittent Fasting, etc...trying to find the perfect "lifestyle" (aka diet). How many people lost weight with just calorie counting, (eating carbs, sugar, alcohol, whatever) and exercise? Good old fashion calories in/calories out? Can it really be that easy and be a success?

regardless of WHAT or HOW you eat, you need to eat at a calorie deficit to lose weight. so you can IF or Keto all you want but if you are not in a calorie deficit you won't lose weight. And the only way most of us can ensure to be eating at a calorie deficit is to count caloriest. the only disclaimer is some can "naturally" stay in a calorie deficit without counting in those styles of eating but i would say not many.

it's that simple but it's not EASY.

nowine4me

CICO + patience = success

Yes, it’s that simple.

Clarice_Phillips_2019

I eat anything i want including pizza, hamburgers, ice cream etc as long as it's within my 1200 calories and i have been losing steadily. I have also done keto and intermittent fasting with great success, but im losing just as fast eating what i like vs extremely low carbs. Key is moderation and accurate tracking.

AnnPT77

Weight loss is all about the calories.

Are calories the only thing that's important? IMO, no. It's:

Appropriate calories for weight management + balanced, well-rounded eating for good nutrition (with a few treats now and then for joy) + fun exercise for fitness = best odds of long term good health and good appearance

. . . and long term good health/appearance are what most of us want, right?

Best wishes!

amusedmonkey

Yes, it's that simple. What's also nice about it is that it's self-correcting. You don't have to force yourself to eat a certain way, but you'll notice the way you eat will gradually change because some things don't feel like they're worth the calories as often and you used to have them, and that some things you'll find you'll eat more often than you used to because they are more filling.

emilysusana

Yep! It’s that easy, though as others have said, it still takes work... if I had McDonald’s for lunch every day I’d go to bed hungry. I’ve spent time learning what foods fill me up while allowing myself room for daily treats and I don’t feel like I’m “on a diet.” My husband loves to cook and he’s great at it... since I’ve been counting and losing, the only thing I’ve had to ask for him to change is that he now weighs the things he puts in his recipes so I can count it all accurately. I love fruits, vegetables, and lean meats, do that also helps.

Today I ran 6 miles (first outdoor run in months!!) so tonight I’m going to indulge in my husband’s famous oatmeal cake with coconut frosting. Mmm... no one’s deprived here!

And I’ve lose 17 lbs since Christmas!

lleeann2001

cbs1974 wrote: »

Yep , Its simple - But does not happen overnight , and in reality its not simple there is a lot of sweat and tears involved and a small amount of mental will power .
You can do it , set a date be prepared and start again and never look back.

A (small) amount of wilkpower? I have.an aunt who says she needs will the WILLPOWER in the world....lol

garystrickland357

Yes, it’s that simple. The weight loss industry (that’s after your money) makes it seem complicated. I’ve lost 80 pounds and have been in maintenance for about 5 months now. I eat what I want within my calorie goals. I exercise because it makes me feel good - and I get a few bonus calories to eat back. It’s not always easy, but it is simple.

lleeann2001

rainbow198 wrote: »

I never followed any diets, but watching what and how much I eat allows me to fit in things I want.

Also, planning and prepping as best as I can helps me a great deal and keeps me in control.

I've lost over 80 pounds and kept it off for almost six years eating this way. For me it is that simple.

However, it did take me some time to figure things out since I was used to eating whatever I wanted whenever I wanted for most of my life.

Is that you in the pic? Your waist is so small if that is you.

rosiorama

amusedmonkey wrote: »

Yes, it's that simple. What's also nice about it is that it's self-correcting. You don't have to force yourself to eat a certain way, but you'll notice the way you eat will gradually change because some things don't feel like they're worth the calories as often and you used to have them, and that some things you'll find you'll eat more often than you used to because they are more filling.

This is true. We’ve had a bag of potato chips in the house for two weeks now. As delicious as they are, I’ve left them alone because a) my healthier “meal” foods are more important when it comes to my calorie budget, b) I am really close to my goal and I want to lose my last few pounds, and c) I’m just not that interested in potato chips anymore.

I’ve changed. Old me would have eaten the whole bag without thinking twice. Now, my mid-day protein bar snack is treat-like enough.