While you are (obviously) technically correct, in the shorter term (weeks) it is extremely frustrating to watch the weight scale seemingly frozen in place despite ever more drastic calorie restriction. Very few have the determination to keep going. This is the “diets don’t work!” siren song in action.
Most people have completely unrealistic expectations, both on how long it will take to achieve fat loss, and also how many calories they really require for maintenance.
Nobody wants to admit this, the experts are loathe to inform anyone, maybe they don’t want to demoralize people, I dunno. There is no “easy” way out, there’s more than one way to skin a cat, but it will require motivation, perseverance and discipline. Time tested positive character traits are considered “bad” (or something) so it’s little wonder everyone is porking out after being locked down in their apartment with a pallet of Cheetohs for two plus years (going on three).
Who could gave known this would happen? /s
“Most people have completely unrealistic expectations, both on how long it will take to achieve fat loss, and also how many calories they really require for maintenance.”
So true.
And baffling at the same time. The science is well developed and simple.
The execution is hard.
To lose a pound a week is not easy. Yet most people expect to lose far more with half the effort it takes to lose that pound.
Most people do not have the will for it.
No it is not usually easy.
To lose weight you do have to be hungry. And to maintain it you have to be vigilant. If you have too many calories one day or one week you have to restrict for a day or a week, or you will indeed gain.
While my best friend may lose a pound a week at 1750 a day I may need to stay at 1500 a day to accomplish the same thing. Yes I can increase my daily need by exercising more and harder. But many are limited there, especially as we get older.
I had a dear MIL who was very heavy - scooter in WalMart heavy - and she just tried and tried to lose but basically never did. Then she had a few strokes, was bedridden in a convalescent home, and was fed with Ensure in a stomach tube.
Lo and behold she lost weight. Just lying there 24/7. Why? Due to her activity? Because she had a nice high metabolism or good hormones. No. Because every day she was given the exact number of calories she needed to maintain a healthy weight - so, she lost. For like three years.
It’s the calories. Yes water retention or constipation or a tumor will register on the scale. But eventually you will lose if you eat less than you burn.