This is a very encouraging post, but there are a few issues. There are a few more ways people can gain weight through no fault of their own. It's oversimplifying matters to say this only happens in "rare cases" where people have to take certain medications.
There is hypothyroidism: a very real medical condition that can cause people to gain weight regardless of calories in and calories burned. Medications can mitigate this, but it goes undiagnosed in a lot of people.
Secondly, I recently watched a presentation by a researcher at UC San Francisco, and she cited several studies that suggested two modes of calorie burning depending on whether someone is "insulin resistant" or "insulin sensitive." Weight loss would respond better to each type based on a particular kind of diet: low-carb (for "resistent") and low-fat (for "sensitive").
Largely, I agree that if you're not affected by the above (or other rare circumstances), the calories in/calories out equation works. It takes time and effort, as you note. I was quite successful with your method simply by exercising vigorously each day and keeping a food journal. It did take effort, though. Like you, I also call bullsh** on people who blame processed foods. It doesn't take that much time to prepare healthy, fresh meals. It's all a matter of priorities.
Another helpful site is fitday.com. It keeps track of your weight, how many calories you consume, and how much you burn off each day.



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Posted April 14, 2008 | 02:18 PM (EST)