Just lost my post. Don't what I hit with my finger but it's gone.
Hi wenwen and Darby. Welcome to the chat. May I make a totally subjective statement of truth:
CALORIE COUNTING IS THE ONLY WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT COMBINED WITH EXERCISE. There it is in black and white. Not written in stone but a truth none-the-less. There are those who would debate my statement of "only" but even with any well laid out argument they may present I still stick to my statement. The reason being is that while counting calories I can eat what ever I want within my caloric range. Now, don't get me wrong and think that I feast on donuts and ice cream until my calories are used up because I don't (at least not on any regular basis

). I usually espouse a healthy well balanced diet for all people on earth but every now and then I want a piece of cake or a few French fries and with calorie counting I can work those into my daily allowance and not feel as if I've violated my "diet." Granted I don't have any medical conditions that would exclude any category of food or junk so I'm good to go on any food. And that's why calorie counting is the way to go.
It takes a few weeks to figure out where your calorie level should actually be. I gain weight if I eat over 1500-1600 calories a day. I do best between 1200-1400. I get too hungry below 1200 and who wouldn't? I don't think I have a metabolism. Must have been born without one, ha, ha. Or might have lost it somewhere around the age of 50.