Calorie counting isn't what loses you the weight

Rant/vent.

Calorie counting isn't what loses you the weight. It's not. Calorie counting is data collection. Calorie counting gives you numerical ideas on how to reduce your intake/consumption of food. Calorie counting diets have their own rules you need to follow to reduce your consumption. But it's not some magical way to lose weight. You can also lose weight with any number of restrictive diets (some smart, some healthy, some not). I have over 850 days of calorie counting data and yet here I am still trying to lose weight.

Because you know what calorie counting doesn't do? Take away your hunger signals. Make eating 1800kcal, 1500kcal, 1200kcal any easier. Your tips and tricks about protein and fiber and volume eating? That's calorie counting agnostic and works as an additional way to restrict your diet and change your intake.

I'm like 2.5 years into this and I still overeat sometimes even though I count daily. Calorie counting doesn't stop overeating, calorie counting doesn't stop hunger, calorie counting still relies on you and your everyday choices and decisions. Calorie counting just gives you information to work with. It is not the same as calories in calories out - that's how ALL diets work. Calorie counting told me that my TDEE is 250kcal less than the calculator proclaims - which is interesting knowledge to have, but doesn't make my everyday life any damn easier. I still have to find ways to CICO my weight away. Calorie counting is a tool to be used, not the answer to your problems.