I have decided to start counting calories and I've even created a Fit Day acccount..my question is how do I find out how many calories do I need to lose weight?

if you google RMR calculator (resting metabolic rate) you can put in your stats and it will tell you how may calories your body uses just to function without any additional exercise

Thanks for the information. I have tried three different sites and all three tell me something different. I am extremely confused.

Once you have your BMR, add in any activity calories, and subtract 500 calories for each lb. you want to lose per week.
Example: My BMR plus activities is 2400, and I want to lose 2 lbs. per week.
2400 - 1000=1400 calories per day. I shoot for 1400 calories per day (and range between 1200 and 1600)

EDIT: I purchased the PC version of Fitday - it has a metabolism calculator in it, as well as a weight goal section. You just plug in all of your info and it will calculate everything for you. As you enter food and additional activities, it will calculate your calories taken in versus your calories expended and return some neat graphs and charts for you.

Well worth the $20 - for me at least.

Each site will give you different info. Don't let it throw you. These will only be guidelines that will help you start. The best guide will be your own body as you progress. Use these calculators (if all 3 are different, why not pick the one in the middle?) to start. Then - if you are losing too fast, or your body does not respond well, add back some calories. If you are losing too slowly, subtract some. Never go below 1200 calories per day.

Keep posting your questions until you are comfortable. We are here to help you.
You CAN do this!!!! Calorie counting is the only way I can lose weight and develop healthy habits that I can continue for life

Thanks. I think I have finally figured it out!

Also, check out this post -- stickied at the top of calorie counters! There are some general guidelines that may be helpful.

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/show...67&postcount=2

I was thinking about buying FitDay PC as well. My dad is "sponsoring" my weight loss and I think he would be willing to pay for it if I can prove I am going to stick with this weight-loss plan for more than 2 weeks (I usually quit by the second week of any plan I have started in the past).

The only thing is that I am a full-time student and therefore spend a lot of time on my college campus. I always pack my lunch but I like to be able to use FitDay from the library's computers to update my foods during the day. I wouldn't be able to do this with the PC version, would I?

I am not sure if it would work or not

MissChris - I take my lunch too. I enter it in before I go to work, and then make any adjustments needed (didn't eat everything, or ate something additional) when I get home. If I think I might forget something, I send myself an email message with the details.

The only way to know, is to go through trial and error with yourself. Calculators online are only guestimates...please read the sticky at the top of the Calorie Counters section.

I like this one.