It doesn't matter what brand spanking new program or old tried and true program I try, I come back to basic calorie counting. My husband says it has to do with the fact that I'm too rebellious to listen to anyone telling me what I can and can't eat. He says I generally have authority issues. Whatever.

Okay, so maybe he does know me a little. Either way, I'm back because I find all the different programs (low carb, high fiber, counting points) just a little too much. When I try to restrict some things or completely avoid them, I can't stick to the plan. I want those things even more.

I have read that the programs that are "protein sparing" are more effective for sparing muscle mass, but if I can't stick to it, then I'm still overweight and it doesn't matter how much lean muscle mass I spare. I want to be in ketosis and lose almost all body fat, but my craving for oranges, cherries, and the occasionally piece of birthday cake gets me into the all or nothing head space. Sure it doesn't help when I have been other boards and I get slammed for being off plan ( really? Sure I know that a slice of cake doesn't make me "on plan" but I also don't thing I failed today if I kept my calories below maintenance). I go into the whole "I screwed up so I might as well make it worth it" tailspin.

Soooo: calorie counting it is for me. It has worked in the past, it's sleek and simple, and it allows for the occasional piece of cake without feeling like a failure.

Welcome back!

Exactly. That's why I don't pay attention to all the opinions about the best kind of exercise. When it's nice outside I like to run, not go to the gym or work out in my basement, so I don't do strength training in the summer months. If I forced myself, it's likely I would abandon the exercise ship altogether. We should choose what we can comfortably sustain, I say.

F.

Any time I've tried to deviate from calorie counting I go right back to it. Like you, I can't have someone say: "you can't eat this."

Ignore those who criticize you for eating "off plan" and have your cake every now and then and ENJOY it. And lose weight while doing it too.

If you're concerned about your protein intake and still want to eat fruit, you might consider adding a protein shake to your meal plan. It's usually the easiest way to get protein for the least amount of calories.

Good for you! I've struggles with low carb for years had success with it but can't seem to stick with it. Then when i try calorie counting because I have low carbed for soooo long I tend to go towards the "junk". Right now I am trying to find a balance between the two. Good Luck!

It's all about calorie counting for me, too. Low glycemic eating and banning donuts helps lol, but because those things help me control calories.

Counting calories IS the tried and true for me.

Only thing long term that works.

ebb&flow, I could have written your post!

It's "sleek and simple"...YES! My last foray with Weight Watchers points had me running back to calories. I'm back for good.

Since I'll be counting calories (happily) for the rest of my life, I'd like to share some books I actually learned about here on 3fatchicks that are so helpful, and I can't be without. They're all about calories/ exercise:

Calorie Queens
Fat 2 Fit
Why Calories Count: From Science to Politics

Those books are literally my food "Bibles."

Plus, I found on my own: The No-Beach, No-Zone, No-Nonsense Weight Loss Plan.

This book has the most accurate formula/method for finding your BEE (Basal Energy Expenditure) than any other formula I've come across. Plus there's another formula to add on for your typical day-to-day activity level in calories. It lists 8 options from wheel chair bound to highly active. An awesome little book.

Calories rule. Oh, and the CalorieKing calorie counter is a must for travelling.

welcome back!! 7lbs to go??? You've got this!

Agree totally. I eat what I want to eat in the quantities I wanted as long as I kept track. Over time I found I developed much better eating habits all on my own, making trades to get enough satisfaction as the number of calories I needed dropped. I laugh sometimes when I look at what I've eaten over the course of they day and see it's mainly foods you couldn't have gotten me to eat at all when I started. Veggies? Fish? Plain unsweetened yogurt?