[billmalarky]

Counting calories isn't an exact science (yet), but it is simple and objectively effective for weight loss. Even if not exact, you really only need to be "close enough" with a good margin for error built in.

I get frustrated when people complicate weight loss when explaining methods to people who are interested in losing weight, rather than just boiling it down to the fundamentals (intake less calories/energy than you burn). All the competing fad methods are based around this fundamental with their own spin (and usually tie in a product that the user becomes dependent on to maintain weightless).