I like thinking in terms of pounds of food, instead of calories or portions. Poundage makes losing weight simpler. You can eat 1-2 pounds of dead animal a day, and pretty steadily lose weight, if that’s all your eating. You’ll lose even faster, if most of your dead animal is fish, shellfish or poultry. If you just can’t stick to a low carb diet, try adding 1-2 pounds of fruit, once a day. Experiment and see if you do better eating fruit only for your first meal (whenever that is), or if you do better with your fruit before or after your last meal. Vegetables usually aren’t a problem. You can eat up to 1.5 pounds of veggies twice a day, anything you like, except peas, potatoes or corn. Thinking in terms of pounds of food limit calories, and makes losing weight easier for most patients.