How?

I did not/do not stay within my calorie limits. Initially I just watched what I ate and when, along with exercise. Then my trainer put together a sample eating plan for me which amounted to 1200 calories a day. I used that as a guideline. Some days I would meet it, some days I would exceed it and some days I would be under the limit. All along, I kept working out. I have since gone to the paleo diet and I don't worry about calories, but rather what I am putting in my body. And I keep working out.

I think you definitely need to be aware of how many calories you are taking in, and I still use MFP to input my food so I have an idea of where I am. I rarely have to worry about going over what I should with how I now eat, but there are foods that are higher in calorie count than I would have thought and I learn through here that I can't eat 3 servings (almond butter!), one is much better!

I don't think you can disregard calories all together. Very few people are aware enough of what and how much they eat without keeping track in some manner and it's easy to eat 1800 calories without realizing it. I have been fortunate and didn't need to be incredibly strict. But what works for me won't work for the next person.

I manage to stay within my calorie limits 95% of the time. if I go jsut a little over, I go for a walk.

I don't tell myself no for some things (aka birthday cake, the occasional candy bar) That just means I have to cut calories elsewhere.

I use MFP alot like a bank account. I can spend my money (calories) on anything I want, but at the end of the day, if I don't have the money (calories) then I cant buy (eat) something else. it's worked so far.