There you have it!! You KNOW where you stand. You've gained knowledge. Knowledge is power. Now you know what needs to be done and you can take the proper steps to get you what you truly want. You've gained a HUGE advantage. Now tell me, don't you feel a sense of freedom with this new knowledge?

Sounds like you are figuring it out!! I do guesstimate too at times but when I see things not going so well I start writing them down again.

so i counted my calories yesterday, and i realized i have trouble getting up to my recommended weight loss calorie intake.. But i got close... and today i was down a pound................. why didn't i give in earlier?

Hey, just be glad you didn't "give in" any later.

You might want to figure out your calorie counts AHEAD of time, know what you're eating IN ADVANCE, this way you don't do it as you go along and then get stuck eating too much or too little. You'll get the hang of it and find what works best for you.

I'm excited for you! Something tells me there will be many more lost pounds in your future. Your near future.