Hi Guys! I'm new here and I did like everyone said and I read Sticky notes... but I want to make sure I'm on the right track. I currently weigh 222 lbs, I'm 5'7" and I'm 49 years old. Do you all think that if I stick to 1600 to 1700 calories a day that I could shed some of these pounds?

Thanks a bunch!

Yes I do!!! But of course only trial and error can give you the "correct answer". I think that would be a great place to start though. Track your calories very carefully, this way you'll know what to change if for some reason it doesn't produce a loss or should STOP producing a loss further down the road. Don't forget to add in some exercise. We want to do everything we can to help create that essential calorie deficit.

Wishing you much success as you embark on this thrilling and joyous journey.

Thanks rockinRobin,
The last few days I've been doing 1200 calories, but at my weight, I'm worried that that might be too low. I feel satisfied on 1200, but don't want to mess up my metabolism any further, as I've tried every diet under the sun. Counting calories has always seemed to work for me in the past.

sign up at thedailyplate.com

that site will tell you how much you need to eat to lose weight etc

Yes, I think 1200 would be a tad too low to start out with. You've got plenty of time to work your way down to there, if need be.

If you can lose on more - why not? And you don't want to let yourself get too hungry as that can set you up for a binge and that binge could lead to days of off plan foods and on and on.

I love calorie counting. It's the only thing that holds me accountable and forces me to set limits. Glad you've re-discovered it.

Just a word of caution about "places" telling you how much one should consume to lose weight. They usually OVERestimate and you waste precious time.

There is nothing in the world like trial and error. We are all individuals and no doctor, nutritionist, psychic reader or even someone who's "been there done that" can take the place of "figuring it out on our own".

I second that, Razorcandy. Livestrong.com (formerly thedailyplate.com) is absolutely awesome! It has really helped me follow the rules of healthful eating and jump start the slimming process. Good luck, Candysue!

I also agree that 1200 might be a little too low. I have similar stats: 5'8" and started at 225 three weeks ago. I have been steadily loosing at 1500-1800/day.

Good point, rockinrobin. Also, remember that while some site overestimate, they also do not anticipate any exercise. The idea is to decrease your caloric intake through eating less or exercise. Livestrong.com suggests a caloric intake for you based on the information you give it assuming there will be no additional workouts. If you exercise along with calorie counting, you have a good chance of getting a good start even with the possible overestimation of calories. You have to start somewhere. I think livestrong.com is a good place. Pay attention to your body. They are all different and NO ONE knows it like you do.

Riverite -- do you combine that with exercise?

Keep in mind that it takes 3500 calories to equal a pound. Therefore, theoretically, you would loose a pound for every 3500 calories you take out of your diet.

Also keep in mind - it is not safe or recommended to lose more than 2 pounds per week. The slower you lose - the safer and more long lasting the weight lose will be.

Make the weight loss about achieving a healthier you - be patient - don't try to lose too quickly.

My recomendation would be to figure out how many calories it takes to maintain your current weight (see the formulas below), then take out 7000 calories per week for approx. 2 pound loss per week - that would be like 1000 calories deducted out of each days current calorie intake.

Remember that exercise burns calories - so, you can essentially eat more if you burn the calories off instead.

Formuals for figuring how many calories it takes to maintain current weight. (of course these numbers are rough estimates)
For sedentary people: Weight x 14 = estimated cal/day

For moderately active people: Weight x 17 = estimated cal/day

For active people: Weight x 20 = estimated cal/day

Note: Moderately Active is defined as 3-4 aerobic sessions per week. Active is defined as 5-7 aerobic sessions per week.

Sources:
Ruth Lahmayer MS, RD, "How Low Should Calories Go?", IDEA Today, September 1989
American Council on Exercise, Personal Trainer Manual: The Resource For Fitness Instructors, (Boston, MA: Reebok University Press, 1991)

gaarmywife2007- Yes. I get to the gym 3-5 times per week for about one hour. For me, the challenge is actually to consume that many calories. Previously, I was eating less than 1200 calories per day and not loosing. Pumping up my calories really helped--although I don't like the feeling of eating when I am not hungry...

I started out eating 1200 cals and exercising a lot. Of course I lost a lot, but then the plateau hit and I was so tired/weak. I raised my calories to 1400 and dropped another 10 lbs, then another plateau. I raised my calories to 1600 which I am currently at and it seems to be doing the trick finally. I find it hard also to eat this much but I am eating much more calorie dense foods such as nuts. Also, 200 of my cals comes from protein powder which is transforming my body! I have so much more energy! So try increasing your cals because your body will get used to the 1200, and you can't go below that.

I think you should gradually raise it to about 1800 cals (but raising calories is easier said than done- it took me weeks to wrap my head around it!) and eat healthier foods like nuts/avacados.

Remember it's not as simple as eating less than you burn... if that was the case we'd all be skinny. Our bodies are programed to hold on to fat, and it adjusts its metabolism based on caloric intake to hold onto the fat. It's not fair to us now... but we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for it unfortunately.

I'm just starting but I am 18, and doing 1200 or less calories a day. I am also excercising daily. I am 5'6.
I don't have much more to say than that but yeah lol