[vixjean]

Okay, well it is not the 2 lbs that are stubborn, it is me, LOL.
It is amazing how happy I am now.
Yes I am obese (look at my height if you are wondering why 172 lbs is obese).
But, now I have a different attitude about my body and loosing this weight.
All thanks for you girls here.

ANYWAY, I do have a question.
I want to loose 5 lbs a month, (KISS-keep it simple stupid)
I figure that is reasonable!

HOW many calories can I eat a day?
I have light activities, bringing up and down loads of laundry once a week, walking up 2 flights of stairs about 5 times a day (and down). Sometimes carrying stuff. Walking quickly to the fax machine (like 7 cubicals away) about 3 times an hour. House cleaning, etc... So I am not a total LUMP. Also, I work out about 3 times a week for an hour, (sometimes not even that much). I use www.myfooddiary.com to count calories.

So, can anyone help me start with a goal (I know it is different for everyone, but I know some of you are hard core and can help me with the calculations)
THANKS!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

[CountingDown]

It really is something you need to do by trial and error. Two people the exact same height, weight and lifestyle will be different.

That being said, if it were me, I would probably start around 1600 calories per day - making sure that they are calories that COUNT - no empty calories if at all possible.
Try that for a couple weeks, and see how you are doing. Then adjust up or down as needed.

Many will say that a calorie is a calorie, but I really believe that I do much better when my calories include a lot of veggies, no simple sugars, no white or highly processed foods, and as many whole foods as possible.