My opinion is that at your current weight, 1500 is awfully low, even to lose. I don't think it's always necessary to bottom out, especially when you still have 63 lbs to go. After all, if you have to lower your calories as you lower your weight, where on earth do you go from 1500? You would have a lot more wriggle room if you tried to lose at a higher number

I have used this one as well. It tells me to maintain is 3090 and extreme fat loss is 2256. I've been at 1800- 2000 and it's working for me. I don't do exactly what it says b/c everyone is different.

The calculations seem about right for me, but everyone is different.

1500 calories a day does seem low for you. If you eat too little your body may go into survival mode (i.e. you won't lose because your body is acting like there is a famine and it's hanging on to everything.) It's true that everyone is different, so you'll probably need to play with your calorie level to see what works for you. I don't think upping your intake a bit would be a bad idea.

I think that you could lose at 2000 cals a day. Now this is just an opinion and there are many variables. But i agree that 1500 is too low. Also when you put in the information try putting that you have a sendentary lifestyle and the number should be a little more accurate. That would leave you between 1900 and 2100 for loss.

Our bodies are all so different. I don't think that calculator is accurate for me at all--it says my maintenance calories right now are in the 2200 range, but when I was eating 2400 (and about as non-active as I am right now) I was losing 1 or 2 pounds per week. Recently I dropped to about 1800 and I've been losing even more. I think it's much more important to figure out what works for -you-, rather than rely on a calculator. Experiment and figure out how your own body really works.

Thanks Jen! after so much reading i thought i might need to go UP a bit too... its just super nice to hear it from a Long Time Counter like YOU i will still weigh in this Saturday, but im going up to 1800 calories Today...

I actually made that mistake when I started this process and I wonder if I would have a higher maintenance number if I had started higher. Like others have mentioned, don't be afraid to try different numbers, you might be surprised!

Don't be discouraged if you gain a pound or two the first week. That's what happened to me but then it came off.