Livestrong's My Plate says that I should consume 985 calories to lose 2 pounds a week or 1235 to lose 1.5 pounds a week. I would also earn extra calories on the days that I work out. In the past when I consumed between 1500-1800 calories, I didn't seem to lose weight. I know 985 is absolutely too low and I'll never go that low. I'm wondering if 1235 will be okay plus an average of an additional 200 calories on the 5 days that I workout? My only worry is that as I lose weight, I will need to lower my calories and I'm afraid of having to eat too few calories to maintain once I reach my goal.

Could anyone recommend another good online Calorie Calculator? I'd like to see what numbers they come up with.

Thanks

Hey, GettinFit! I used this one, plus the averages of a few others that I can't remember: http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

Thanks Emme - This one says I should consume over 1700 calories a day so I will go for mid way between the 2. This time I am not going to spend as many calories on sugary junk foods but I plan to use them on healthier choices. I'm hoping this will make a difference.

gettin fit - It is all about finding what works for you. I use the freedieting calculator too. I love their calorie cycling schedule, although I do not follow it strictly...I let my body tell me when I really need to eat more...I still average out to about 1500 cals per day.

I have not had to lower my calories and I have lost +70 pounds. I did start cycling my calories about 10 pounds ago which kicked me into gear when I got stuck for about 10 days, but I still get the same amount of calories per week. So check around and find a number that works for you! Good luck!

Just throwing it out there that I find it very odd that Livestrong suggested such a low calorie count for you. I've used Livestrong for my entire weight loss journey and it won't recommend a number lower that about 1150 for me, no matter what numbers I input in the calorie calculator. Instead, it gives me a message like, "The suggested calorie count is too low for healthy weight loss" or something like that.

I'm not saying I don't believe it suggested that number for you, but I wanted to say that it doesn't do that in all situations. A little confusing.

Thanks Jen I will go back and re-calculate it.

UPDATE: I just re calculated and when I enter my age, current weight & that I'd like to average a 2 pound loss per week, this is what I get:

"Your calorie requirement has been saved as 985/day." I manually changed it to 1500 calories and will see how it goes for a few weeks.

Thanks to everyone for the replies.