Since I started dieting at the beginning of August I decided a calorie intake for me should be 1200-1500 a day. I'm 22 yrs old and 5'7 I started at 175 lbs and now I'm at 156 lbs. Am I consuming the right amount of calories or should I be consuming more I was thinking my calorie intake should be 1500-2000 a day. I've lost a total of 19 lbs in 3 months. My goal is 135 lbs I was trying for by the end of this year but I'm thinking by next summer. I use to exercise literally everyday but my parents think that is to much cause your body needs to rest so I decided to switch my workouts back to every other day. If anybody can help me I would much appreciate it.

I went to freedieting.com & they have a calculator that estimates how many calories you should be consuming.

Maintenance:
2030 Calories/day

Fat Loss:
1624 Calories/day

Extreme Fat Loss:
1248 Calories/day

So I would say that you are in the right zone for that. And if you are giving yourself plenty of time to get these last pounds off, then you should have no problem.

Hope that helps.

=)

There is nothing wrong with exercsiing every day as long as you're not strenuously exercising the same muscle groups every day. Especially if you're weightlifting, you need to rotate muscle groups to give them a chance to recover and gain strength. But if you're doing cardio, there's nothing wrong with every day.

I would say 1200 calories would be a bit too low for you, though. I'd stick closer to 1400 or 1500 (or maybe even a bit higher). You'lll probably have more effective workouts if you keep your calories towards the 1400+ end of the spectrum.

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Thanks Chance0421 and photochick

I'm 21 and 5'7"...though I have more weight to lose than you. I'd probably stick closer to 1500-1600 calories, especially since you're working out a lot. The last thing you want is your body to hold onto every little bit of fat out of fear that you're starving it. It's the same idea as taking your calories too low, create too large of a calorie deficit when you don't have that much weight left to lose (ie: 10 or 20lbs) and your body will plateau. You create your calorie deficit through exercise instead.

As far as exercising everyday...I exercise very intensely 6 days a week, but always take one day off. I might go for a leisurely walk or something, but I don't do anything I would consider "exercise". I agree with Photochick, just make sure you mix your exercises up, especially if you're lifting weights.

19lbs is an awesome loss! Congratulations!

Thank you very much rockstar87

Just wanted to second the 1400-1500 suggestion.