Is Weight Loss Really Just Math? The Truth About Calories In, Calories Out

If you’re a woman over 40 who’s tried everything to lose weight and still feel like your body is fighting you at every turn, I see you. I am you. And I want to share something that changed everything for me—and might just change everything for you too.

Let’s talk about calories in, calories out (CICO), the golden rule of weight loss we’ve been taught all our lives. You eat less, you move more, and voilà—those pounds are supposed to melt away. And sure, sometimes they do… at first. But for many of us, especially as we get older, it just doesn’t work the way it used to.

I’ve Done It All—And I Mean All of It

I started dieting in my early 20s. I’ve counted points with Weight Watchers more times than I can count. I’ve done the 500-calorie doctor-supervised HCG diet. I’ve even lost weight simply because I was sick and couldn’t eat for two months. So believe me—I know that calorie restriction can cause you to lose weight.

But here’s the truth they don’t always tell you: it’s not a sustainable solution for most women—especially women in midlife.

I’ve lost weight many times, but I’ve always gained it back. Why? Because calorie restriction was white-knuckle hard for me. I was always tired, shaky, and hungry. It took everything I had just to get through the day. And when the weight came back, it felt like a slap in the face after all that effort.

Eventually, I hit a wall. The mental toll of constantly failing at diets that were supposed to work made it harder and harder to try again. And for a while, I just gave up. Have you been there?

What Finally Worked: Low Carb Living

When I discovered low carb and keto-style eating, it was like someone turned on the lights in a dark room. For the first time in years—maybe decades—I felt well. Not just thin. Not just “in control.” But genuinely energized, clear-headed, and satisfied.

No more afternoon crashes. No more obsessing over food. No more feeling weak or dizzy. And the best part? No hunger.

It didn’t feel like a diet. It felt like relief.

And yes, just like any way of eating, if I veer too far off course, the weight can creep back. But it’s not hard to come back to it because I feel good eating this way. It doesn’t feel like punishment. It feels like giving my body what it actually needs.

The Problem with “Calories In, Calories Out”

Here’s the thing: CICO does matter, but it’s not the whole story. Our bodies aren’t calculators—they’re complex systems affected by hormones, insulin resistance, stress levels, sleep, muscle mass, and age. As we get older, our metabolism changes. What worked in our 20s or 30s often stops working by the time we hit 40 or 50.

For many midlife women, insulin resistance plays a big role in weight loss resistance. And when you eat a diet high in carbs (even “healthy” ones), your body may constantly be in fat-storing mode, making it incredibly hard to lose weight—even if you're eating fewer calories.

That’s why low carb and keto eating work so well for women like me. They help manage insulin, reduce inflammation, and allow the body to tap into stored fat for fuel. And when your blood sugar stays stable, you don’t feel those constant cravings or energy dips. You just… feel normal again.

What I Want You to Know

If calorie counting hasn’t worked for you—if you’re tired of the yo-yo, the hunger, and the disappointment—you are not broken. Your body isn’t failing you. You’ve just been given tools that weren’t made for the season you’re in now.

You can feel better. You can lose weight in a way that feels doable. And no, you don’t have to starve to get there.

You just need a different approach.

If you're curious about what low carb living could look like for you, check out another one of my blog posts that lays it all out. It’s not complicated or extreme—it’s just real food, and a way of eating that works with your body and your life.

👉 Click here to read: The Low Carb Lifestyle: How to Do It & Why It’s a Game-Changer for Your Body and Mind.

You deserve to feel good in your body again. Let this be the start of a better way forward. If you need help getting started I’m always here to chat. Just reach out.