[gracie453]

Hello all,

I am 5' 5" and currently 255 with a medium build; I went to see a dietitian recently and she made meal plans for me. The problem I have with them is they are about 1300 calories per day. After having done a ton of reading over the years, I have mainly read that you do not want to go too low in calories right off the bat and I am afraid that the plans she made might be too low, if not then wonderful but I guess I just need someone to ease my mind either way. I want to do this right after all the lies I have believed in the past, so any advice would be wonderful. Thanks so much!

[zenor77]

I didn't go below 1500 calories very often and your goal weight/height are similar to what I weigh now. I believe I was eating between 1600-1700 when I started at approx 212 lbs.

Why not try 1800 calories and see how that works? Your nutritionist can't object if you are losing and eating healthy foods. I think it is best to lose weight in a way that is sustainable. Why burn yourself out early and quit?

Exercise is helpful too, if you are able. I'm a walker myself. Walking helped me a lot, exercise need not be overly strenuous to do you good.

[Glory87]

Well, I would definitely start higher. You can always cut back from say 1800 or 1600 if you aren't seeing any weight loss (try to give it a couple of weeks!).

It's just my experience with calorie counting/whole foods that it is much easier to get a wide variety of healthy foods if you get more calories in a day. Instead of choosing between a yogurt and a 1/4 cup serving of almonds - you can have BOTH and do nice things for your body and your long term health.

[lorilove]

Always start higher and cut back from there. I had similar stats to you when I started and I was comfortable with 1400 calories but I suspect I am a bit older. I have recently increased my calories to 1500 plus due to the increase in my exercise intensity.

Lori

[PhotoChick]

I would also start a bit higher. I'm close to your height and started out at 237. I was losing on 1500 cals a day. Now that I'm lifting weights more, I've actually bumped that up to 1700 cals on the days that I lift or do interval training.

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