Okay, well it is not the 2 lbs that are stubborn, it is me, LOL.
It is amazing how happy I am now.
Yes I am obese (look at my height if you are wondering why 172 lbs is obese).
But, now I have a different attitude about my body and loosing this weight.
All thanks for you girls here.

ANYWAY, I do have a question.
I want to loose 5 lbs a month, (KISS-keep it simple stupid)
I figure that is reasonable!

HOW many calories can I eat a day?
I have light activities, bringing up and down loads of laundry once a week, walking up 2 flights of stairs about 5 times a day (and down). Sometimes carrying stuff. Walking quickly to the fax machine (like 7 cubicals away) about 3 times an hour. House cleaning, etc... So I am not a total LUMP. Also, I work out about 3 times a week for an hour, (sometimes not even that much). I use www.myfooddiary.com to count calories.

So, can anyone help me start with a goal (I know it is different for everyone, but I know some of you are hard core and can help me with the calculations)
THANKS!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It really is something you need to do by trial and error. Two people the exact same height, weight and lifestyle will be different.

That being said, if it were me, I would probably start around 1600 calories per day - making sure that they are calories that COUNT - no empty calories if at all possible.
Try that for a couple weeks, and see how you are doing. Then adjust up or down as needed.

Many will say that a calorie is a calorie, but I really believe that I do much better when my calories include a lot of veggies, no simple sugars, no white or highly processed foods, and as many whole foods as possible.