Have others been sucessful?

currierand

I'm new here (and to dieting in general) so please forgive me if this has been asked before. I have skimmed the site and it seems that many of you are very diligent about weighing and measuring everything and getting your calories and macros as perfect as possible, never eating anything "bad" for you, etc, etc, in other words, what I would consider being "on a diet". I am a chef by trade and I cook my own foods about 90% of the time. I know intellectually that I put this extra weight on (I have about 20 plus pounds of fat to lose) by not always making the best food choices. I don't have a problem taking my time getting this weight off but would prefer 1 pound or more a week. I also want this to be a lifestyle change but one I can actually maintain. I know that MFP encourages weighing and measuring everything to get the most accurate logging in your diary but does EVERYONE here actually do that? I don't see myself doing that for the long term. I feel like I am pretty good at guesstimating and I tend to over guess ( I think). I also want to eat REAL foods and continue to have my cocktails and the occasional dessert, just in smaller portions and in moderation. Is this possible? Am I kidding myself? Have any of you had success being a "real person" who now maybe takes a little more stock in portion control (and self control).....moving a little more and eating a little less, but not depriving themselves? Ecspecially with the Holidays coming up I guess I am concerned I won't be able to do it...TELL ME IM NOT DELUSIONAL AND ALONE!

Sorry if this sounds like rambling. This are genuine questions.

Kelly