New here need help
 

Hi guys! I have been reading this forum forever and finally decided to take the plunge and post because I am hoplessly stuck! I have no idea how to figure out how many calories I need per day to lose weight, so I thought I would ask you! I am 5'4 and weigh 129. Now I have tried going down to 1200 but the scale won't budge and I think it's because of the way I work. I have a job in an automobile manufacturing plant. I work 10 hr. shifts so that means I am constantly working (as in walking and heavy lifting) for 9 hrs and 40 mins. a night. A few years ago we used pedometers to check our steps and in an 8 hr shift we walked 7.5 miles. I work much harder than that now. Any ideas on what I should be eating? I know this is long and a little confusing :) I look forward to your replies.

Hi Joni ... I'm going to suggest that you assess what you are eating now. Run a few typical days through some kind of calorie calculator and see where you're at. Assuming that you are maintaining at present ... eating less should do the trick. And we can certainly help you with all of that.

how much weight are u wanting to lose?? Doesnt look like you really have anything to lose so it will take you a little longer to lose than someone that is overweight

Actually you are within a healthy weight range for your height.What is your goal weight? It looks like you are getting plenty of exercise.I would not go below 1200 calories.Be patient, no telling how are bodies will react, see what happens in the next two weeks if you don't change anything.

I am only wanting to lose 9 pounds, I realize that I may not "need" to lose them (physically) but they are my "peace of mind" lbs. See, seven years ago when I started my job I weighed 230 lbs. In 2003, when I met my husband, I weighed around 215. I decided to go on a diet before our wedding and have lost the weight sllllooooowwwllllyyy. (we've been married since 2004) I don't know if I will ever be satisfied with what I weigh...(maybe I need to move over to the body issues after weight loss forum :dizzy: )
Susan B, I have ran what I eat through several calculators and I average around 1400 a day now.

First of all ... WOW and congratulations! You've done amazing work already!

Hmmm ... what about tweaking your percentages? Upping protein maybe or 'cleaning up' your foods.
Do you lift weights? Have you ever had your body fat percentage done? 129 lbs at 5'4" isn't bad. If it's a more slender, toned look you're after ... weights won't hurt.

Have you nosed around the Maintainers threads?