One of the things about "calories in, calories out" is that "calories out" include exercise. When I hear that CICO isn't working for a person, I try to get a perspective, because your lean muscle mass and your gut flora are also a part of your system, not just what you eat. A big change in your diet is going to result in a change in your gut flora and how well you digest what you are eating.
I also recently had a friend find out that she has a gene that helps her body hold onto more calories out of her food than a regular person - about 10% of the population has this gene. But exercise moderates the effects significantly, so if you think you have this gene, moving helps!
So, I keep in mind that body fat percentage will change how I look, no matter what I weigh. My latest NSV is that the pants that I bought when I hit 155 are fitting me loosely even though I am 165. I think half of that is that these are jeans and they stretched, but I am also hoping that part of it is that in weight-lifting twice a week with a trainer for almost a year I have gained some muscle. A pound of muscle is slightly smaller than a pound of fat.
The picture below is bodies at the same weight, but different fat numbers. So, by raising my muscle mass and reducing body fat, my ideal weight is going to look different than if I don't add muscle.
Very social weekend, but I will "splurge" with shrimp all weekend as a treat and get the added bonus that shrimp is low-fat naturally. Thanks to Lamb3 for the shrimp idea!
Happy Friday at last!
