I count calories. I like it because I can eat anything I want, I just have to eat less of it than I normally would. If I wanted to fill up my calories for the day with cookies, I could! Also, exercise is crucial when you have more than like 5 pounds to lose. Even "just" walking has incredible benefits.

Wow, this is VERY Helpful!!! Thank you all! Sugar is my weakness: Soda, candy's, juices loaded with sugar, hot chocolate.... I can pass up on cookies and cakes and stuff no problem....which is weird, but anyway. Also Pasta is another weakness, I could eat it every meal, every day of the week! I've started eating Whole Wheat Pasta, and can't taste the difference, and I've cut down on the amount I eat. My problem is that so often I feel hungry, so soon after I eat, no matter what it is...protein, carbs, veggies, whatever! I can't figure it out. I'm trying to get into drinking more water...

By the way, this may sound stupid...but how do I figure out how many calories I SHOULD be eating a day???

Self has a calculator that will tell you how many calories you should eat at a certain height for whatever weight you want to be - the general rule for losing weight is to calculate what you eat normally right now and cut 500 calories a day from that (3500 is about 1 pound), so you'll lose a pound a week, which is maintainable and healthy.

Sorry sierra ttw ... I had to edit your post and get rid of the link. External Link policy, I apoligize. :(

Canadian Mickey -

How many calories do you need?
Nearly everything you eat or drink has calories, which are a measurement of the energy that is released in your body when you metabolize food. You need a certain number of calories every day to maintain your current weight and activity level, as well as your body's normal functions. If you eat more calories than your body uses, the excess will be stored mainly as fat; if you eat fewer, you will lose weight. To slim down at the healthy rate of a pound a week, trim 500 calories daily by eating less, exercising more, or both.
(Note: Do not eat fewer than 1,200 calories a day. Consult your doctor if you are having trouble losing or gaining weight.) To gain a pound a week, add 500 calories per day from nutritious choices.

What is your ..

Age:
Weight:
Activity Level: Sedentary, Slightly Active, Moderately Active, or Very Active?

I follow WW at home don't attend the meetings but subscribe online. I feel like it's very easy for me because I need specific guidelines. And now that I've been doing it for sometime I see it really is teaching me to guage when foods are bad for me.