You guys really like to over complicate things.

People don't gain weight after quitting smoking, BECAUSE they quit smoking. They do it because when they get anxious, instead of grabbing a cigarette they get cravings. A lot of people also smoke a cigarette when they start to get hungry and the nicotine apparently curbs their appetite. When they no longer have this, they get hungrier, therefore eat more. It's not mass delusion and you're the messiah who knows best, it DOES happen to a large percentage of people. Is it a rule? NO. But it does happen.

People don't just "burn more than you eat" and lose weight. Some people DO have thyroid issues, hormonal imbalances, eating disorders and many other issues involved. That's why there are nutritionists, endocrinologists, doctors and a whole industry / medical community behind it.

Because of people like you that say "it's as easy as pie" just do 1 +1 and you'll get 2, people get discouraged, depressed and many worse things.

So get a clue, EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. If I ate 2,000 calories and burned 1,500 calories. And you did exactly the same, we would NOT get the same results. (not even gonna get into the whole BMR TDEE and all that "complicated" stuff that you've just dismissed.)

There are people for whom the OP’s sentiment is true...For them, weight loss is a simple matter of making good choices.

But there are also plenty of people for whom that is not true. Some people use food to cope with emotional challenges have to learn whole new ways to cope, which is MUCH harder than simply making different choices.

Some of us have hormonal challenges, and have to follow a drastically different plan than MFP-recommended calorie deficit every day.

Some folks face plenty of legitimate budgetary and scheduling challenges that require more thought and planning than "put down the twinkie".

The community here on the site can really help people stick with their goals and overcome challenges.

You are right that there are some people over-complicate as a way to self-sabotage or to excuse a lack of progress. But there are also plenty of people who are working hard to overcome legitimate complications.

I really agree with the "arrogance of youth having all the answers" poster.

Ah, the arrogance of youth having all the answers. Like we haven't seen this many times before. Like we weren't in your shoes many years ago when we were the ones with all the answers. And in 30-40 years when you in our shoes and you know you won't have all the answers.

Time is the great equalizer. We've seen this play before.

I love this. So true.

u jelly?

Please explain why you think I am "jelly?" I'm guessing you think that I am jealous of your age. Far from it, dude. I wouldn't go back in time if I could. Been there and done that. Compared to where I was when I was younger, I am quite content where I am at now.

ya.. u jelly

You're so funny. Keep on thinking that if it makes you feel better

There are people for whom the OP’s sentiment is true...For them, weight loss is a simple matter of making good choices.

But there are also plenty of people for whom that is not true. Some people use food to cope with emotional challenges have to learn whole new ways to cope, which is MUCH harder than simply making different choices.

Some of us have hormonal challenges, and have to follow a drastically different plan than MFP-recommended calorie deficit every day.

Some folks face plenty of legitimate budgetary and scheduling challenges that require more thought and planning than "put down the twinkie".

The community here on the site can really help people stick with their goals and overcome challenges.

You are right that there are some people over-complicate as a way to self-sabotage or to excuse a lack of progress. But there are also plenty of people who are working hard to overcome legitimate complications.

I really agree with the "arrogance of youth having all the answers" poster.

Nothing in your post contradicts anything I say. What you and I are talking about are 2 total different things.

What my OP says is if you control your diet, you will see results. You're telling me "some people don't have the will or motivation to control their diet" which is true, But has nothing to do with what I said.

Here's the thing. You're talking to people here for whom weight-loss is a huge challenge, sometimes one of the hardest things they've ever had to do, something that impacts every aspect of their life. It may be easy for some people, but for others its a seriously big deal.

I think for people for whom it is a very big deal, they resent the implication that it's "so easy a caveman could do it". They feel like it's dismissive of all the work they put into making the right food choices and working out. I actually know people for whom walking around the block is a big sweaty out-of-breath challenge, and people who cry with pride at turning down dessert at the office party. But they're doing it. They're losing weight. And they do NOT want to hear that all the work they're putting in is stupidly simple.

What else is funny is that you're agreeing with a statement that literally doesn't disprove anything I've said yet. Only thing it does is shows both you and him think somehow your body is "different" because you're older.

When in reality that's not how the body works, I mean sure your metabolism is much slower than mine. but you still have a maintenance for calories, and eating both below or above that you will see changes in your body of fat gains or fat loss.

You're right, and in 20 years, if you remember this post you will think you were an idiot.