Bingo. You nailed it.

It comes down to simply going for "absolute honesty about portion size".

Calorie counting works...but takes too much measurement. How many am I burning? Does doing regular exercise make me burn more or fewer? In general I've discovered it's just not nearly as accurate nor successful as controlling portion size.

So you're right....

It comes down to portion size.
Self control.
Not pushing for that "full feeling".
Allowing hunger in to ur lives.

As a scientist, I know that every animal depends on hunger to thrive and do well. I'm sure scientists doing nutritional studies will eventually find life-extending virtues of letting oneself be hungry....so I try to feel that "pang" every day.

@RobecologyI don't think there is much point in counting calories used. Thge standard assessment seems to be that medium sized female human beings use around 1000 calories a day just in a resting state, so for most women aiming for around that is going to mean they lose weight. Larger people can plan for a little more. I am basically a very small person so I need less. It is too easy to say we need 'self control'. The whole fat issue is far more more complicated. That is why so many people fail.

I don't even track calories used, I figure what I burn is what I burn, if I do more physical activity, I will burn more calories but my resolve to exercise "regularly" has never lasted very long. Things I might enjoy, or did in the past, roller skating, tae kwon do, are not available anywhere near here. Twice a week exercise class at the senior center is my only regimented exercise. In the summer I will add 2 days a week of water aerobics classes at the city pool.

I do try hard to be honest and accurate in recording my food intake. I figure to not do so is cheating who? ME! Seems somehow crazy to cheat oneself. Many things I can get away without "measuring", I know the serving size and record that, like a serving of bagel crisps is 6, I eat 2 and record .33 of a serving. Things that are not easily counted, I will measure or weigh. This essentially translates to "portion control". I just record them by calorie rather than "1/3 serving of crisps". By the nature of limiting calories, it will limit serving size. I could certainly eat 6 bagel crisps as a snack but that counts as 130 calories. A 2 crisp serving is 43 calories and when I keep track, I know how each serving size will impact my day's intake and adjust accordingly.

Currently, my problem is I have not been feeling committed enough to tighten down to under 1100 calories. Shifting out of maintenance mode has not gone smoothly and with the limit more severe than last year when I went back to diet mode with 25 more pounds to lose, the 1200-1300 I usually stay under have not been enough to get results. Last night, I set a new goal for myself, to reach my goal weight by June 12, the 2 year anniversary of starting this process. Won't have to hurry but will need to buckle down some if I'm to make it.

@DotLewis that last 25 pounds is the hardest in my experience. It is the point where I have given up on the past. Well done if you can manage to keep going and shift it.