Keep it Simple!

Just wanted to say after having an "ah ha" moment about a month ago that I have lost 10 pounds. Anyway thought I would share it in case it helps anyone.

IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING TO LOSE WEIGHT...ASK YOURSELF:

1. IS IT REALLY WORKING TO STRUGGLE?

2. WHAT IF ALL I HAD TO DO WAS:

A. FIND OUT HOW MANY CALORIES PER DAY IT WOULD TAKE TO LOSE "X" AMOUNT PER WEEK ACCORDING TO YOUR WEIGHT AND ACTIVITY LEVEL. (FORMULAS ARE ON LINE)
B. EAT ANYTHING YOU WANT WITHIN THAT CALORIE LIMIT
C. RECORD EVERYTHING YOU EAT.

BEING ABLE TO EAT ANYTHING I WANTED AND KEEPING IT HONEST BY RECORDING IT WORKED FOR ME. 10 POUNDS LESS AND COUNTING...

LISA

Good post, Lisa. I think you're generally right. To some, it's not THIS simple, but I do think this covers it for many.
Trouble is, that it's not that we don't know HOW to do it. It seems to me that to many of us it's more about dealing with the question of "Why don't we just do it, then".
We need the right motivation to do right. I find that a good way to do this is to keep asking "why" until we can't get any further.

"Why do you want to lose weight?" - example: To be thin.
"Why do you want to be thin?" - example: To be more respected.
"Why do you want to be more respected?" - example: To be recognized by my boss.
"Why do you want to be recognized by your boss?" - example: So I will get promoted...

You get the idea. Once you get to the FINAL why-question, this might veyr well be the deep, inner, honest reason for losing weight. Use THIS reason to find the motivation, and then do what you state.

Also, while losing 10 lbs (and I congratulate you on that) is great, you may discover later that it's not as easy any longer. Trust me, I've been there. Eventually, we need to do more to convince our body. Then is when the little tricks come into play.

But, fundamentally, I think you're right. I'm still living after this general rule, and I am still losing weight at a pretty good pace.

Gorgeous, for me that final answer was, "I want to live." I'd been told by my Dr. to get my affairs in order. However, with all the diagnoses I had, none of my Dr.s had put two and two together and figured out the root of all the problems. I've been a Celiac all my life and had never been diagnosed. Until I quit eating gluten, I couldn't lose an ounce. Once I quit eating gluten, your equation worked just fine. Calories in = calories out. I was 66 years old when I figured it out and made my Dr. test. Many of us have medical reasons that make losing difficult, if not nearly impossible. If you never figure it out, it can be frustrating. You're very lucky it seems to be that simple. Like KK said, you may find at some point that you slow down or hit a plateau, no matter what you eat or don't eat. I lost really well for over a year and than hit a plateau that lasted for three months. Good luck with your trip down. It sounds like you've made a great start.

Lisa, I did that more times than I can count. I lost dozens of lbs. I even worked for WW at one time! Once I used a Bariatric Physician to help me. I succeeded!! But I'd get so tired of being hungry all the time and eventually the low calorie or controlled calorie thing just doesn't work for me, especially the lowfat-low calorie diets. I can lose then my body normally fights so hard through cravings to regain it's former homeostasis. Sometimes it takes years, but the weight always comes back plus some. In all fairness I will say I did not keep accurate control of my calories forever. Usually discouragment over weight gain and the ache of cravings would cause me to give up and ignore my weight altogether--until I couldn't stand myself again then I'd start over--classic yoyo.

The content of our foods count as much or more than the calories. Some of us have to concentrate on foods that curb cravings and keep blood sugar levels stabilized. According to your theory I could eat so many calories of apple pie everyday and as long as I only ate the correct amount in relation to my burning of calories I could maintain my weight. That might work for some, but its a prescription for failure for me. Calories DO count, but so does content.