The importance of calorie deficiency?
 

I've never really counted calories, but I've seen so many people say they go between 1000-1200 calories per day. That seems quite low to me considering the average (for women) that is recommended is 2000, but I'm not quite sure. I once tried out a calorie deficiency calculator (just for kicks 'cause it was on the site I was looking at) and it told me I needed about 1500 per day to be losing. Would 1000-1200 be too extreme for me? Basically, can I keep eating intuitively without worrying too much about my loss?

1,500 has always been my magic number -- whether at 16 or 54 (my last and lasting weight loss attempt). At 16 I lost 2.5 pounds a week on that regimen, at 54 about 1.25 pounds a week, which was still a decent pace. I've occasionally tried eating less than 1,500, but I get grumpy and lethargic and it's just not worth it. At 58 I maintain on 2,000 cals per day with formal exercise 4 times a week.

F.

I'm 5'6 and in the low 130s and 1500 works really well for me too. I generally am under that during the week and eat a little over on the weekends but it all still balances out to an average of 1500. If I try to go too low I get tired, dizzy, and have trouble doing daily tasks.

Oh that's actually really helpful, thanks, guys! :DD

If I'm trying to lose, I function best with a small deficit. For me that means eating about 2000 a day. I'm 5'5", 128 pounds and 60 y.o. I walk 15,000 steps a day. That will cause me about a 1 to 1.5 pound loss per month.

This reply is just to show that calorie requirements vary a lot between individuals. It is a bit of trial and error to find out what your best range is. Personally I believe in slow weight loss, which requires patience but is easier on the old bod!