The metabolic effect diet

EvanKeel

Obviously calorie counting isn't required for a caloric deficit. For many people it's a good thing due do its advantages. Within a reasonable margin of error, it's data driven, rational, etc. Apart from the deficit, counting calories isn't restrictive. It makes perfect sense to monitor the energy flow directly. I'd go so far as to suggest that everyone should try it starting out.

That said, when the counting becomes more of a hindrance, then it may not be the best method for someone to follow. There can be a very irrational aspect to losing weight. And, in my opinion, the solution isn't always to just tell the person to suck it up and count calories. Instead, try to find something that might actually be effective for that person. In that case, following a plan that centers around satiety, for example, might be preferred. You still have to eat at a deficit, of course. I also think it's important to realize diets aren't magic, and any foods that don't fall within the guidelines aren't "bad."

Person A might prefer counting calories and eating whatever foods in moderation.

Person B might hate logging food and prefer following a set of guidelines that they find easier to sustain for whatever reason. It may have the disadvantage of having to make slow adjustments over time as you monitor weight, but the same can be said of counting.

WalkingAlong

There are WW plans with very minimal counting, and before maybe 10 years ago there was no points at all . I lost 50 lbs. on one where I only had to count a few food items (35 points a week, max).

How many WW plans have you tried? Or even read about outside MFP? How many other diet plans have you read in books? Oh yeah, books are a waste of money. Seriously, most diets plans out there require no or minimal counting.

Which doesn't mean calories don't count. Or that if you overeat on any plan, you will not lose.

A lot of people use their method of eating (vegan, Zone, med, etc.) to control their weight. Even most of the people here claim MFP is not a 'diet' for them but a 'lifestyle'.

Calories were 'invented' less than 200 years ago. People lost weight intentionally before then.

That's not true. I did Weight Watchers back in 2000 (so 14 years ago) using my mom's old Weight Watchers material (old then, so >14 years old) and it was all about points.

Even the Weight Watchers programs that don't have counting are only supposed to be used as a kick start program. They are done short term and then you go onto the points program.

Points were introduced in 1997 so it has been 17 years. So I did underestimate their age.

Simply Filling, a current program, and Core, a past program, are long term plans with very little counting involved. Simple Start is the 'jump start' plan. But even that they say you're welcome to continue on it as long as you want. That is what Simply Filling is, for the most part. The only difference is SS gives you 7 points a day (no rolling over) and SF gives you 49/week.