“Just” Calories In/Calories Out

NorthCascades · February 2020

I lost weight and kept eating bagels, just not as many. Also rice, oatmeal, fruits, veggies, pasta, none of it prevented me from losing weight. I had to work them into my calories though.

amusedmonkey · February 2020

Yep, 30+, lost 140 lbs, exercise was mostly walking (although I did introduce running later after having lost a good portion), and the only thing I paid attention to was calories, although I did keep a loose eye on protein because I tend to undereat it.

Edit: I have also taken weeks off activity, not even walking, because I have a chronic back condition that flares up sometimes and I'm almost 100% bedbound during recovery. With less activity, I had to choose either to eat less or to take a maintenance break during these times. Towards the end of my weight loss I tended to just eat at maintenance because I didn't have as many calories to play with during inactive phases as I did when I first started.

I also took maintenance breaks whenever I couldn't deal with dieting for whatever reason. One of these breaks lasted an entire year, and it was an even greater achievement than weight loss itself because it proved to me that I could maintain the weight I lost sustainably with calorie counting. My progress was slow with lots of breaks, but it was sustainable. I don't think I would have managed it had I tried to rush it because I know I'm prone to burnout.

yirara · February 2020

One problem with autoimmune conditions is that during a flareup your body might store more water to help healing the attack. This is not fat, but it still shows up on the scale. Also, some medications (steroids) lead to an increased water weight and to more hunger. If you are aware of the first you're fine. Just keep on telling yourself that it's just water and will go on it's own again. The second is something you need to work on. It's hard, but doable.

missysippy930 · February 2020

I lost 100 pounds before I even began to walk more. So yes, as so many said, it’s very possible. I went on to lose 40 more pounds with elliptical and walking, and using light weights.
Weight loss occurs when you eat less calories than your body burns. Exercise is very beneficial for overall health, and recommended, but not necessary for weight loss.

nighthawk584 · February 2020

almost 100 lbs with CICO. I eat balanced diet. Carbs are around 200-300 ...makes no difference. I exercise 7 days a week, but that has nothing to do with my weight loss. I eat back every exercise calorie. The "secret" has ALWAYS been counting calories and staying at a calorie deficit to lose weight.

Luke_rabbit · February 2020

bold_rabbit wrote: »

While I walk and do a little bit of gentle yoga, I can't do much more exercise without risking pain flare ups.

Calorie counting has allowed me to lose a little over 20 pounds since last Spring. I now weigh 122 lbs - I am 5'3" and 55 years old.

And my macro answer:

I'm a pescatarian/ mostly vegetarian and I eat a lot of carbs (45-50%)! The only macro I "watch" is protein. While losing, I tried to get 70-100 grams. I now usually get 80-110 grams. I don't want to go too low (for general health) or too high (kidney concern per my nephrologist). I eat in the 1600-1700 calorie range for maintenance.

Kiyomoo · February 2020

Well, certainly. I've lost 92 pounds by just doing CICO.

I have had brief periods of exercise here and there, but all of that combined wouldn't count for more than 2 or 3 pounds at most. I was never consistent the times I exercised.

I am 23.

Kiyomoo · February 2020

JPaigeWatts wrote: »

The reason for my question is, due to overlapping auto immune disease, I have to be careful with what I do. If I go low carb, I drip blood from my cuticles and bruise easily. I can lose weight and then have a flare up and gain like nobody’s business. It’s frustrating. However, with Keto and Low Carb, etc... so popular, I just wanted some encouragement that doing this in a way that helps me feel my best will still work. I have weeks to months where I can lift weights and walk a couple miles. Then I have moments where my legs won’t work at all and I’m wheelchair bound. With counting calories I can adjust what I eat and when to fit my needs at the time — it’s just helpful knowing that I don’t have to listen to all the hype about diets that don’t help me, and I thank each of you for being an encouragement!

Those diets, low carb, KETO, intermittent fasting, whatever it is... all of those work because of CICO. They may not be actually counting their calories when they use those diets, but if those diets work for them, it is because they are burning off more calories than they are taking in.

Terytha · February 2020

I've always ignored my macros. And I lost my first 40 lbs only counting calories and not doing much else. I've been exercising since, but I'm just trying to avoid too much loose skin.

Danp · February 2020

Lost the first 30-35kg (65-75lbs) with nothing but changing the number of calories I ate. Zero working out or exercising. I didn't even change my diet and continued to eat the same foods I had always eaten. The only change I made was that I tracked and paid attention to how much of that food I was eating and made sure that most of the time I was in a calorie deficit.

I've gotten to the point now where I was able to get a bit more active and workout occasionally but exercise hasn't really done a thing as far as losing weight is concerned. My progress with or without working out is pretty much the same, or if anything my weight loss has slowed down a little as I'm having to decrease my deficit to fuel my fitness goals.

So yeah. I've lost significant amount of weight (52kg / 114lbs) and by every known measurement (at least those run by my doctor) am in great health all while eating the same foods that made me fat. I'm the poster boy for "it's all about calorie balance"

Antiopelle · February 2020

I'm now 50, and last year, I've lost 8 kg (17lbs) by calorie reduction. I love my carbs, and I never take into account my macro's, just CICO.
Just for the sake of this thread I've looked them up: 56% carbs, 27% fat and 16% protein.
The last time I went to the gym was in my 30's.
So yes, you can do this

“Just” Calories In/Calories Out

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