I like the approach of some bodybuilders when trying to lose weight. They just count the cardio as extra, and multiplying the calories burnt by 0 to 0.5 when cutting.

Losing weight also becomes quite straight forward when one tracks their calories and activity in minutes and uses weekly averages. That way changing one side while maintaining the other can get them to losing weight again.

I agree totally with you, people try to find the perfect equation and tracking method for everything, otherwise it's pointless to them. Honestly I like how it is like a game, where losing weight initially is simple and then it gets incrementally harder and you have to find better methods and how there's variations from person to person.