I lose successfully now on an average of 1900 calories/day. I make much healthier choices than I used to and am definitely not hungry most of the time.

I think 2000 is probably a good place for you to start. Fill those calories with nutrient rich foods (fruits, veggies, proteins, etc) and you might not make it to 2000.

Thanks How often should I drop my calories down? And by how much each time?

I think you should settle in at the 2000 and see what happens over a week or two. You'll soon find if it's not enough (hunger) or if you're dropping just fine. If it seems to be working and you feel good, have the energy to do the things you need to do and exercise .... stick with it!

I have between 1200-1300 calories averaged a week

I lose on 2500-3000 calories a day, when I can keep that up. This is because I'm (1) male and (2) get a lot of exercise. According to fitday.com, I burn on average 3300-3500 calories a day, including exercise.

Now if only I could keep it up for more than a couple of weeks at a time.

Thanks for the replies and keep posting! I'm gonna post my daily calories at the end of the week.

I can't use the formula you suggested, Mia, because it would result in a number too low for my comfort. But I am having some success at an average of 1400 calories per day. I've tried several different calculators for daily calorie intake and have gotten a variety of results, so I'm just going to stick with the 1400 since that seems to be something I can handle. Actually, my pattern of eating has started to resemble the "zig-zagging" discussed in a couple other threads, although that hasn't been intentional. I currently exercise three times a week for 50 minutes each time (half cardio, half strength training).

Maybe everyone whose number is coming up to be too low is closer to their goal weight than i am. Or maby multiplying by 10 was for lightly active people. I forgot which website i got the info from. But maybe 12 was for lightly moderately active people and 14 was for very active people. Sorry if I messed up.
Hope you guys still love me !

I think that might be possible.

Of course we love you here! This is an interesting thread, and many of us are still learning.

Thanks bobbidipity!

O.K. So I've been trying to eat between 1200-1550 calories. And I have been eating like 1600-1800 almost everday this week! I really gotta make up for it the rest of the week! Next week will definetly be better. I'm aiming for a total of 9,870 calories. Anyone else have a goal they'd like to share?

I read an interesting article in a fitness magazine today where a test was done with hundreds of women exercising and on a calorie controlled diet. One group of women was on 1300 calories a day and the other group on 1500 calories a day, both groups doing the same exercise. The end result was that the women on 1500 calories, lost more fat than the other group, and their metobolic rates were higher than the other group. I'll be sticking to 1500 calories and working more intensively and more weights.

Hi everyone! I am new here, but I am a calorie counter as well. I am still breastfeeding, so I was advised by my doctor to have at least 1800 calories a day, and even up to 2000 was fine! I hope she's right, because I need to LOSE! I am currently weighing 289. Nice to be here!

Welcome Cassie! (Is Cassie okay?)

I've heard breastfeeding women loose faster than non-breastfeeding women. Just something I've heard. I breastfed my last for the first 3 months or so but I wasn't trying to loose any weight at the time so I didn't pay attention.
However, I'm sure you will loose weight with those calories.