I didn't want to upset you. Nope, while I mainly agree with what you say, it's still what you put in is what will be used. We say, it's brutto on a day scale.

I didn't want to upset you. Nope, while I mainly agree with what you say, it's still what you put in is what will be used. We say, it's brutto on a day scale. All the other factors are just parameters of what has been used up in time, like how much energy in sport (variable), what's the capacity of the gut bacteria/hour, the amount of muscles and the basic energy consumption, ..., I want to call them netto(s). In the end, brutto - netto = 0 should be aimed uppon. So: Brutto - usedUpSport - usedUpBacteria - ... = 0 If you're at balance, fine. Out of balance in both directions is to be viewed from different points. So if you can't do sports, you should ingest the equivalent of energy less to have a lower brutto. This means eat a salad instead of chips. So bacteria, whatever is of course an big big big effect. I have had a time in my live where I got vanco and gento in high doses at least once a year for like 3 weeks in a row. For like 7 years. I didn't become big poppa, because of the bad bacteria allegedly caused by stark antibiotics over time. And then, I've had a chance to allow my guts to rest like for 8 weeks, in which the lower bowels after ilio didn't got any food (Iliostoma). But before the Iliostoma, the treatment with 7 different antibiotics was necessary. 3 were reserved antibiotics, then vanco, gento and not remember the others. After that I was completely free of whatever may have lived inside me. Then, the stoma has been laid back an me healthy like hell. Nothing for 7+ years. Nothing. Even when I wanted to fall ill.. so yes, absolutely! But still, I eat not more than before because I have better bacteria again. I'm always hungry, yes, but prefer a healthy snack every time to still hunger.. and I'm not big poppa. I don't do sports, otherwise I have to consume more proportionally not to lose mass. It's all willingness. It's your freedom to decide what, when and how much you eat. If you can't say no to the cake, then compensate it some where other time.. each one knows his own body the best :) No one wants to force you or someone other. It's like, you can have transplant stool/bacteria of a healthy, "thin", donator. There are old study cases where very very obese people have been able to loose weight - while still eating like before more or less. Like Master Yoda would say "small will you have. Other bacteria you need. Eat less you must. Other bacteria then you don't need" It's just, I keep mental track of what I eat, so I know when I can allow me some sins. It's my willingness and my choice. No one forced me.