Anybody surprised how well calorie counting works?

YES!!!! ok I do more exercise but ive tried every diet going which are basically calorie controlled diets and failed by stripping it back to this and logging im getting there well done you on your fab loss

For me I don't care about calories, I originally came just fir the android app, to keep a check on my carbs and sugars.
Some days I do binge, though knowing I have to put it in my diary, and have now set it for friends to look at, it seems to be making me think twice.

Like today, was quite stressful, normally i'd get some snacks to chill out, but for 1st time I thought nahhhhhh, doing too well, so just came home.

So my attitude towards binging also seems to be changing for the better....

I'm a math and numbers geek so it amazed me that there was such an "easy" way to lose weight. I treat my calories like a bank account. If I don't have enough left, I can't "afford" to eat anything. I lost 40 lbs over the course of a few months last year doing it and, since starting back this year, the pounds are dropping off. It's simply accounting and accountability. What truly amazes me is seeing other people starving themselves trying to lose weight. They look unhappy, they deprive themselves, and they don't have nearly the success I have had and that I've seen with other people on MFP. Love this site and I love calorie counting!

Well said, I have lost almost 10 pounds from the short time Ive been here. It's all about math and doing the math right!
I used to be the person that thought counting calories was dumb. But then I was the one gaining weight! But since rejoining MFP I understand the calories and why it's important to count them! Woo wooooooo!!!

Thank you for reminding me that it's all about calories in and calories out, I've been really struggling lately with going on all these stupid food plans that restrict carbs, the truth is I love my carbs and when I deprive myself, I end of eating them to a very uncomfortable level. Good luck on your weight loss journey!

i'm pretty stoked about it
makes life so much easier.
being in school and working full time, i always told myself "i don't have time to diet" but i find i'm still happy, get to eat what i want and focus on all the things i'm doing at the same time.

I was surprised when I began seeing the scale move. I remember thinking, "This is it? All I have to do is count calories and burn more than I take in?"

For the longest time, I thought I was doomed to never wear my "skinny" clothes again because I didn't want to spend money on whatever weight loss miracle Dr. Oz, Jillian Michaels, or the Kardashians were promoting that week. I couldn't see spending the rest of my life just eating boiled chicken and fish, and never having pizza or ice cream again.

I try to tell people about MFP when they tell me they're going to do a cleanse, shakes, or whatever starvation diet is popular. They usually respond with something along the lines of: "Yeah, you're probably right. But this will be faster and easier." When I ask what's going to happen once they're done, they usually tell me they'll just do it again if they gain the weight back. Alrighty then.

I honestly don't think it is all calories in vs. calories out. Obviously on one level it is, but if you notice .. there are A LOT of "I'm doing all the right things and it isn't working" posts out there. There is a ton of advice on drink more water, exercise less your cortisol is too high, its your time of the month, you are gaining muscle .. etc etc etc. I just did a DietBet that is ALLLLL about the scale and that final number. If I didn't eat enough, my body didn't lose weight, if I had too much sodium my body held onto water. I had 1200 calories a day and exercised 250-300 calories 6 days a week and didn't lose anything for 3 weeks and then only dropped 1.5 pounds. I weighed everything and counted meticulously .. didn't eat my exercise calories.. used an HRM for exercise.

So .. while yes it is on some level calories in vs. calories out, it isn't always that simple.

Because when someone says they are "doing it right", it must actually mean they are doing it right.

Well I don't know about all the somebodies .. I just know me and I know how I did it. It wasn't as simple as calories in vs. calories out.

I agree. I am now losing 1 pound a month. It's not coming off that quickly and I am measuring my food and I am exercising 4-5 days per week. I also am gaining muscle and went down a pants size so the results are there but oh-so-slowly!

You gained muscle while in a calorie deficit???

YES, calorie counting is the best. It clears up all the confusion, the paranoia, the magical thinking. Just eat your calculated deficit, and you're good to go.

It is quite funny when you think about how easy it is. However, as others have said, there are many factors that play into what that scale shows. I think at some point measurements and pictures are more accurate.

I have actually just hit my goal today and I'm researching in to how I'm going to increase my calories to maintain. All I keep thinking about is how am I going to eat any more food as I am stuffed as it is! I don't know if it's eating whole and fiber/protein rich foods that keeps me full, or if my stomach has shrank that much, lol. I guess I'll be eating a lot of peanut butter.

It is quite funny when you think about how easy it is. However, as others have said, there are many factors that play into what that scale shows. I think at some point measurements and pictures are more accurate.

I have actually just hit my goal today and I'm researching in to how I'm going to increase my calories to maintain. All I keep thinking about is how am I going to eat any more food as I am stuffed as it is! I don't know if it's eating whole and fiber/protein rich foods that keeps me full, or if my stomach has shrank that much, lol. I guess I'll be eating a lot of peanut butter.

Hey, congratulations are in order! Way to go!

You gained muscle while in a calorie deficit???

That's what I said, yes.

Losing half a pound a week puts her really close to the recomp zone.

Yes. This is working better for me than other diets that have you eliminate foods or are lower calorie. It is something I can stick with. And no "diet" foods I do have areas to work on (move more, measure better) but it is working well for me so far.

Yes! I started seriously logging after I had already lost 10 lbs, so my weight loss is not entirely accurate on my profile. I was shocked at how much easier the weight came off when I became dedicated to logging.