I think you're over thinking it just a tad bit.

I mean, the general idea is to space it out like that... but one meal might be 400, one meal 600, etc.... just as long as it adds up to your goal. Some people like to have a more filling breakfast because then they don't feel as hungry throughout the day... others don't care. Me, personally... I have a lighter breakfast (around 300 cal) and then space the rest around the rest of the day.

Yep, I agree, whatever works for YOU!

What has worked for me has been six mini-meals of 200 calories each, or 1200 calories.

I tend to eat heavier in the morning since I workout not too long after and can use the energy. The towards the evening I eat something lighter and protein dense. Do whatever works out for you! =)

I think it's all a matter of preference. I try for 1500 calories per day and this is how I break it down:

Breakfast 300-400
Snack 100
Lunch 300-400
Snack 100
Dinner 500-700

Sometimes I might skip snacks and eat a larger lunch or breakfast. It all depends on how I feel that day.

I actually don't plan per meal at all. I graze all day long, and however my calories fall, they fall. I do try not to eat a huge meal at night, but I'm getting much better at listening to what my body wants.

I also found that by eating throughout the day, I don't get the insatiable hunger where I need to devour everything in sight by dinner time!

I agree w/ everyone else, do whatever works for you as far as splitting your calories up! I don't have a set schedule for each meal...I just know for me personally, I always end up wanting something late at night, so I HAVE to leave enough calories to account for that. That's my only "rule."

I swear by the calorie calculator at freedieting.com -http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm. You can put in your height/weight/age there and it will give you a range of calories to stay within from max loss to maintenance.

I think 2000 is a good place to start. Then gradually your calories need to decrease, or your exercise needs to increase and close the gap.

As for spacing calories out, I find it better to have a bigger breakfast, you will burn most of those calories anyways. As compared to dinner for example.

I'd start at around 1800 or so at your weight... that's creating a calorie deficit of just over 500 a day which amounts to a little over 1 pounds a week.

Lots of good advice in here already!

My meals vary each day, so the # of calories per meal varies. But I try to keep it around 500/meal. Now, most days, my breakfast is smaller than that, which leaves room for a bigger dinner .

When I started, I checked as many calculators as I could find for a target calorie intake. If 2000 is where you feel comfortable right now, I'd go for it, Then, like cdemay said, you can reduce it and find out what works for you.

Good luck girl!

I know, right!! I believe I started around 1800, and then once I started losing I went down. When I'm working out 5 days/wk I can eat 1400-1600 cals and still lose, though I try to keep it between 1300-1400 just because that's what works for me.

Hope this helps