[ncuneo]

I just started back on calorie counting last week. Up until this point I've been doing a reduced calorie diet but not counting. So I'm not sure how much I've been eating. I was first doing Nutrisystem, then doing it on my own with a suggest meal plan and successfully lost 80 lbs. I took a break and still have 50 lbs to go so now I've decided to start counting. Anyway, I'm 186 and 5'5 and last week I was averaging 1200-1300 and buring 700 Monday-Friday. I lost a measly lb by Friday. Am I eating enough? I'm a little lost when it comes to determining how many calories are enough for me. I was trying not to stress about it too much because I usually take the weekends off, but that seems to have put me into a maintaining holding pattern so I thought it might be time to get more serious, start counting and limit my weekend "cheating". I really want to lose this last 50 lbs and I'm struggling a bit. Advice?

[Coondocks]

Im not an expert at all, still pretty new to calorie counting with out *points* so I've been reading the BIggest Loser books and it suggest 7 calories per pund of your current weight if you're trying to lose, which puts you right at 1302 - so I'd say you're right on target. Are you drinking enough water? I know a pound doesnt seem like a lot when you're hoping and working for more, but a pound lost is still a pound lost! (specially if you're building muscle too!)
Keep it up!!

[zenor77]

A lot of that depends on your own body, age, etc.

I'm 32, I don't formally exercise (right now at least) and I lose eating 1500 calories per day.

I would try upping your calories a bit and see what happens. If you lose more great, if it stalls you then go back down. Sometimes it takes trial and error to get to the correct calorie level.

[ncuneo]

Thanks for the input.

I'm drinking tons of water. I aim for 100oz, but I usually don't quite get there and I'm not even close on the weekends.

I guess I was disappointed because when I was doing it on my own I was losing 2-3 lbs a week. I'm pretty sure I was eating more (1500-1600), but I don't think I was cheating as much on the weekends. I guess like you said trial and error. I suppose I'm a little afraid to add more during the week because my weekends are still a little out of control. I suppose I need to just get back on track with my weekend and play with my weekdays to find that balance.

Thanks again!