From the sticky in this forum...

[Steve]

Thanks for the reply steve...i appreciate the time you took in writing it.

I appreciate the commentary. I think it's important to hash out these sort of nuances if for no other reason then to help folks who tend to think in binary terms. It's either/or, this/that, right/wrong, workable/unworkable.

So they view any formula as The Way and when it doesn't work, which is likely if you calculate a number and do nothing with it after starting the process, they give up and jump to the next idea - have it be low carbs, paleo, supplements, or whatever.

As far as I'm concerned, this entire thread simply pounds the idea of avoiding rigidity and focusing on "the flow" of feedback your body gives you.

my whole point with starting this topic was to say that the equations are not accurate for those who are obese. which you mentioned in your reply...so we agree

Or the very lean.

As you venture out from the center of the continuum in either direction, any formula is going to become less and less accurate.

i appreciate all the articles ....i've read many of them before (as i am in the field) however I will check out the others when I get a chance

I hadn't realized this. What do you do in the field? Do you have access to pubmed database?

and i definitely am aware that recording of calorie intake is inaccurate...however gaining an awareness of what one eats, which can start through calorie counting, is certainly important to being successful in weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. in general one can state that your calorie count is likely underestimated by around 10% (at least), which i account for in the amount i eat (by overestimating some things). it isn't perfect, but its the best one can do outside of eating in a controlled laboratory setting.

I'd say that's a reasonable tactic. Unfortunately, logic and rationality seems to go out the window with most dieters and frustration ensues as they're working with what they expect are exact numbers.

And that's not even touching the calorie out side of the equation, which involves more guess work!

And for those interested, check out via google the Atwater System. It's how we derived good energy, otherwise known as calories. It's very outdated and will shed some light on just how inaccurate the process of tracking calories is, even if you're nearly spot on.