Who has actually lost a significant amount of weight using only CICO?
Options
Scochrane86
Posts: 374 Member
I am interested in hearing from those who have lost a significant amount of weight 60+lbs, using only the CICO method? how long did this take you?
Not wanting stories of people you know, or if you lost 20lbs - I wan't to hear from those who were actually able to significantly change their lives using CICO.
Not wanting stories of people you know, or if you lost 20lbs - I wan't to hear from those who were actually able to significantly change their lives using CICO.
1
Replies
-
That's the only way to lose weight..
Now... if you mean... diet alone? or calorie counting alone?
That's a different question... BUT!!! unless you're using restricted supplements(read that as illegal or prescription drugs) CICO is the only way you're losing weight... even with using supps that boost your metabolism or prevent calorie absorption, you're still losing weight via CICO.14 -
This. CICO isn't a weight-loss plan; it's an equation. If calories in > calories out, then gain. If calories in < calories out, then loss. If calories in = calories out, then maintain. But there is no "CICO diet" or "CICO method".16
-
Everyone who has lost weight has used CICO.
I lost 70+ pounds ten years ago. Still at my goal weight. Calories in = Calories out18 -
yes, my original post say using ONLY CICO.
So, not clean eating, working out daily, etc... strictly CICO.
3 -
As others have said, everyone loses weight losing CICO. Even if they're doing keto or Weight Watchers or weight loss surgery, the way we lose weight is by consuming fewer calories than we burn.
If you're asking about calorie counting, I lost 40+ pounds calorie counting. When I realized I could eat whatever I wanted as long as I was hitting my calorie goals, I was able to defeat the cycle of restricting too much/eliminating foods and then binges. For the first time in my adult life, I felt like I was in control of my weight. I've been maintaining my weight loss for almost two years. It's not always easy to hit a calorie goal, but it's always simple and that's what I like about this method.12 -
Scochrane86 wrote: »yes, my original post say using ONLY CICO.
So, not clean eating, working out daily, etc... strictly CICO.
Again every diet is CICO. Are you talking about counting calories?7 -
Again, HOW you control your calories in or calories out is irrelevant.
Everyone who loses weight is eating fewer calories than their body needs to maintain their weight.
I lost weight using CICO. Anyone who loses weight uses CICO.6 -
Scochrane86 wrote: »yes, my original post say using ONLY CICO.
So, not clean eating, working out daily, etc... strictly CICO.
CICO is the underlying cause for weight. It's not a diet or anything. All diets follow CICO; which is a fancy name for energy balance.
what you mean is who lost weight by not restricting foods? I don't restrict foods, but I focus on calories, protein and fiber.
ETA: I lost 50 lbs with a flexible diet.. although I don't define it.8 -
janejellyroll wrote: »As others have said, everyone loses weight losing CICO. Even if they're doing keto or Weight Watchers or weight loss surgery, the way we lose weight is by consuming fewer calories than we burn.
If you're asking about calorie counting, I lost 40+ pounds calorie counting. When I realized I could eat whatever I wanted as long as I was hitting my calorie goals, I was able to defeat the cycle of restricting too much/eliminating foods and then binges. For the first time in my adult life, I felt like I was in control of my weight. I've been maintaining my weight loss for almost two years. It's not always easy to hit a calorie goal, but it's always simple and that's what I like about this method.
Thank you for the only helpful answer. Yes I guess "calorie counting" is what I was getting at? although I assumed they were the same.
So if I allow myself 1200 calories a day, it doesn't matter how I get those calories, as long as I don't go over?
4 -
Scochrane86 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »As others have said, everyone loses weight losing CICO. Even if they're doing keto or Weight Watchers or weight loss surgery, the way we lose weight is by consuming fewer calories than we burn.
If you're asking about calorie counting, I lost 40+ pounds calorie counting. When I realized I could eat whatever I wanted as long as I was hitting my calorie goals, I was able to defeat the cycle of restricting too much/eliminating foods and then binges. For the first time in my adult life, I felt like I was in control of my weight. I've been maintaining my weight loss for almost two years. It's not always easy to hit a calorie goal, but it's always simple and that's what I like about this method.
Thank you for the only helpful answer. Yes I guess "calorie counting" is what I was getting at? although I assumed they were the same.
So if I allow myself 1200 calories a day, it doesn't matter how I get those calories, as long as I don't go over?
Maybe. If you aren't getting adequate nutrients, then you can run into problems. Too little protein and you risk increased muscle loss, increased metabolic adaptation and a slower rate of body fat % decrease (which is what people really want).
The way you should eat and how much, should be aligned to your long term body goals and what will allow for the highest level of compliance/adherence.
ETA: people were trying to define what you mean because too many people associated CICO with calorie counting. Calorie counting is a tool to measure CICO.10 -
I've dropped 100 lbs on calorie counting mostly. I have mobility issues so exercise was minimal in the past. I've been doing better now so i incorporated weight lifting. Down a total of 128 to date. I still eat pizza, ice cream, etc. just do it smarter and make sure i fit them into my calories for the day.23
-
Scochrane86 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »As others have said, everyone loses weight losing CICO. Even if they're doing keto or Weight Watchers or weight loss surgery, the way we lose weight is by consuming fewer calories than we burn.
If you're asking about calorie counting, I lost 40+ pounds calorie counting. When I realized I could eat whatever I wanted as long as I was hitting my calorie goals, I was able to defeat the cycle of restricting too much/eliminating foods and then binges. For the first time in my adult life, I felt like I was in control of my weight. I've been maintaining my weight loss for almost two years. It's not always easy to hit a calorie goal, but it's always simple and that's what I like about this method.
Thank you for the only helpful answer. Yes I guess "calorie counting" is what I was getting at? although I assumed they were the same.
So if I allow myself 1200 calories a day, it doesn't matter how I get those calories, as long as I don't go over?
For health and energy, you'll want to make sure your nutritional needs are met, but yeah. For weight loss, all you have to do is create a calorie deficit. Where did you get the goal of 1,200? That's a very low goal, it could be possible for you to eat more and still lose weight.7 -
Scochrane86 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »As others have said, everyone loses weight losing CICO. Even if they're doing keto or Weight Watchers or weight loss surgery, the way we lose weight is by consuming fewer calories than we burn.
If you're asking about calorie counting, I lost 40+ pounds calorie counting. When I realized I could eat whatever I wanted as long as I was hitting my calorie goals, I was able to defeat the cycle of restricting too much/eliminating foods and then binges. For the first time in my adult life, I felt like I was in control of my weight. I've been maintaining my weight loss for almost two years. It's not always easy to hit a calorie goal, but it's always simple and that's what I like about this method.
Thank you for the only helpful answer. Yes I guess "calorie counting" is what I was getting at? although I assumed they were the same.
So if I allow myself 1200 calories a day, it doesn't matter how I get those calories, as long as I don't go over?
Wait a moment. How did you determine a calorie budget of 1200 cals/day? Did you enter in your details into MFP? What is you desired rate of loss? How much do you have to lose to hit your goal weight?
I highly recommend reading the "stickied" threads in these forums. There are many assumptions people have about weight management....few of these assumptions are correct.12 -
Scochrane86 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »As others have said, everyone loses weight losing CICO. Even if they're doing keto or Weight Watchers or weight loss surgery, the way we lose weight is by consuming fewer calories than we burn.
If you're asking about calorie counting, I lost 40+ pounds calorie counting. When I realized I could eat whatever I wanted as long as I was hitting my calorie goals, I was able to defeat the cycle of restricting too much/eliminating foods and then binges. For the first time in my adult life, I felt like I was in control of my weight. I've been maintaining my weight loss for almost two years. It's not always easy to hit a calorie goal, but it's always simple and that's what I like about this method.
Thank you for the only helpful answer. Yes I guess "calorie counting" is what I was getting at? although I assumed they were the same.
So if I allow myself 1200 calories a day, it doesn't matter how I get those calories, as long as I don't go over?
Correct. You'll do better if you make sure you get good quality protein and fat, But in the last 30 pounds, I've lost weight and eaten pizza, Mcdonald's, Chick-Fil-a, Candy, Cookies, etc.
I was exceptionally bad yesterday... despite my best efforts, I only netted 800 calories... I ate... almost 2900... but I had a fairly aggressive walk/run afternoon... and by the time I hit dinner I was negative...0 -
I've lost 48 lbs just counting calories and not doing any specific diet. (Yeah, I know, that's not 60, but I just started in January).6
-
Bingo! I lost about 45 just with calorie counting. I've started working out just recently. But yeah, having a deficit is all that matters for weight loss. How you achieve that deficit affects general health, fitness, and whether or not you can stick with it.2
-
I've lost over 90 pounds in about a year and kept it off almost 2 years. I've never had restrictions on any specific foods or macronutrients. The first 75 or so was just walking and counting calories. I did eventually start running and then lifting because I wanted to, not to lose weight.2
-
I lost 50+ using CICO. Started at 178 end of Dec 2013 and reached 130 October 1 2014. Hit 128 October 11th 2014 and have (mostly) been maintaining between 123-128 since. I say mostly because I did put on 10-12 gradually during 2016, and took it back off between Jan-Mar of this year. By 'officially' putting myself back into a deficit mindset, rather than telling myself "I'll just eat a little less for the next few weeks'.
My heaviest was ~15-20 pounds higher, but like many others I made a few efforts between 2003 and 2013 where I'd lose 5-10 and then lose steam.
What is different for me now vs those other times? I pay attention to both sides of the equation. CO is just as important for me as CI. Because if I did not make the effort to be active, and to walk/run daily, then my TDEE would be pretty low. So I don't allow myself to be a couch potato. I need to get a regular routine of strength training going - have been saying that for quite a while now - but in general my activity/exercise is walking and/or running. Nothing terribly structured. I don't do classes. I don't go to a gym. I do have a treadmill, and dogs to walk.
I do think technology has been helpful to me. In the 2003-2013 era, I used various tracking websites (at least for part of the attempts) but having MFP as a phone app is much more convenient than logging into a computer. I have also added food scales and fitness trackers to my toolbox, and other apps that keep me moving. I use Pact and Stepbet, which means I lose money if I don't hit my goals. THAT is a real motivator!
I know there are many fads and 'styles' of eating out there, and some find them useful. I did once try low carb, that actually was my first ever attempt at dieting. I like meat and cheese lol. I even once bought some energy booster/appetite suppressant supplements which did nothing. But in general I'm cheap and like free stuff, and I consider myself a logical person and the whole concept of 3500 calories = 1 pound and CICO appeal to me.0 -
I've lost 50 pounds this way - I guess that's not enough?4
-
I lost twenty pounds by accurately counting my intake. I tried for many years to lose but I discovered I couldn't outrun my fork. CICO.4
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 391.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.5K Getting Started
- 259.7K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.6K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 390 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.7K Motivation and Support
- 7.8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.2K MyFitnessPal Information
- 22 News and Announcements
- 921 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.3K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions