I'm 19, 5'8" and 160 pounds, and moderately active (I mean I exercise 5 times a week but on a low day it's moderate)
livestrong suggests I eat 1692 calories a day to lose 2 pounds a week

this summer I'd eat 1500 and lost like 1 pound a week

I'm afraid I'm eating too much. I mean I'm eating healthy and rarely even meeting 1692 but I'm still afraid it's too much to reach my goal, is that a rational fear?

I think you have to use any of these calorie calculators as an estimate and do a little experimenting to find out what the comfortable level of calories are for you and your desired weight loss goal. According to the various calculators, I should average about 1800 calories to lose 2 pounds, but in practice, I found that should eat an average of 2000 calories to lose 2 pounds, so that's what I do.

Maybe it's because I'm 46 but I have to stay in the 1200 - 1500 range to lose 1 -2 lbs a week. I've started eating a serving of dry multi-grain Cherrios at night with a 25 -cal hot chocolate to keep me from munching everything in site while we watch T.V. DH eats Ritz and ice cream every nite!!

I usually stay around 1500 as an average. I like to calorie cycle. I also run and dabble with 30 Day Shred. I lose but not 2 pounds a week. For me, it's closer to 1 pound a week. I am twice your age though

Hey, I just saw a great idea on another thread. A lady mentioned mixing the 25 calorie cocoa with a serving of oatmeal--almost dessert like. MMMMM

I'm 25 years old, 5'6 and started at 185, now I'm at 160. I exercise, but I'd definitely qualify that as low to moderate. I eat 1500 calories a day (cycle a little, but most days I'm 1492 or something), and I have lost at least 2 pounds a week since I started. I would think that you're just fine with more calories, since you exercise more than I do. Try out 1600 for a week or two and see what happens! Could be a fun 100 calories!