Shira,

I don't believe the simple calories in vs calories out theory at all - we all know people who are skinny and eat all kinds of junk and never exercise. I know for myself, I did not lose on very low calories. I couldn't stick to it for very long, but still I didn't lose while I did that, and I also didn't gain when I ate quite a bit more.

I believe there are much more powerful factors in play than simple calorie count - like hormonal reactions. These are the little guys in our bodies that say 'pack up these fat cells and don't let anything escape, because there might be another famine coming' or the other guys who say 'pass me some of that fat so I can get this machine going faster'

Total calories still play in, but it is the hormonal interplay that is really important.

Lila

Whoops!! I did not see that this thread went onto the next page. (Still have to learn my way around this forum!!!)

Thanks to all of you for the information and support. I guess it's hard to shift gears on what has been drummed into ones head over the years - e.g low fat, calories etc. It is starting to make sense - especially when I see weight loss, increased energy - and lack of cravings.

Shira