Was he really counting the calories as he was gaining weight? Counting calories is a tough job, especially for an engineer like me (and I like counting calories

Was he really counting the calories as he was gaining weight? Counting calories is a tough job, especially for an engineer like me (and I like counting calories), just because I don't cook consistently, I eat out where I don't know how much I'm consuming. Get a burrito for lunch? That can vary 100-200 calories depending on how it's made day to day. Losing 45 lbs is a lot of work. After all that, how can you gain 35 lbs and not notice or try not to counteract it? I weigh myself a couple of times a week and it's easy to keep a running average of that. 5 lb variation is noise, but when you're starting to hit 10+, you should be taking notice. I am assuming the OP exercises (as that's KEY to keeping weight off). You need to treat it like a feedback cycle: are you starting to gain a little? Ok, then be a little more cognizant of what you eat (cut down amounts, leave that last bite on the plate, really make sure you don't eat candy or soda) and crank up the energy expenditure and exercise (try to walk an extra couple of miles extra couple of days a week, make sure you take the stairs every time, etc). Calorie counting is a great tool, but is inadequate because your metabolism changes as you attempt to lose weight. Your body resists change. It's also difficult to truly estimate your caloric expenditure in a given day. Your daily pattern of activity may have changed slightly in a way that you now burn 100-200 fewer calories--that can add up. Carbs are not the root of all evil and many factors affect your hunger and metabolism. Here's a great science-sourced article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/fitness/exercise/fitness-research/the-big-fat-question-how-do-we-actually-lose-weight/article1871400/page1/ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/fitness/exercise/... -- e.g. "the results showed the best predictor of weight loss was how closely the subjects had managed to stick with their prescribed diet" Also, studies suggest that the more you exercise, the less diet matters: http://sweatscience.com/the-more-you-exercise-the-less-diet-matters/ http://sweatscience.com/the-more-you-exercise-the-less-diet-... So, make sure you're out there burning those calories. And follow the "feedback cycle" model. Weigh and react.