I just signed up for MyFitnessPal and it calculated and said I am given 2,240 calories a day in order to lose 1 pound a week. But the past 2 days I have eaten less than 1,300. And before counting calories, I don't even want to think on the amount I consumed (hint: most likely way over 2,240). Should I up my calorie intake or try to still keep it as low as possible? I mean it'd be nice to eat a bit more, I did get really hungry last night. And am hungry now, but ain't ready yet to use up calories. But wouldn't my stomach eventually get used to not eating as much? Or will suddenly cutting down my calories like that make my body go into starvation mode?

Sounds about right. It takes a lot of calories to maintain higher weights!

If your maintenance level is 2,740, -500 per day should give you an average of 1 lb lost per week, and -1000 per day should give you an average of 2 lb. You should not try to lose more quickly than that.

2240 does seem pretty high, but less than 1300 seems low for your current weight.

I think I would probably start out at 1800 and see if I could lose on that; then just go from there. A lot of this is really trial and error. I would be hesitant to start out at less than 1300 because if you plateau or stall you can't go much lower.

Welcome to 3fc's and good luck!

Sweetie, 1300 calories is way, way too low for you!! I am at that much right now, and was told that it was low for me as well. I know that the heavier you are, the more calories you can have. Once you start losing the weight, you have to start adjusting the calories according to your weight. If you did keep it at 1300, you will drop it fast, but probably go into starvation mode eventually. Your body will hold on to as much fat as it can just in case you are actually starving! I have read a lot about it. Please up your take, and Good Luck!

Diet smart, not hard. Up your calories; you will need to adjust them downward as you lose weight. If you are unnecessarily restrictive with yourself, its harder to stick to your plan. Its so much better when you listen to the experts and simply remove 500 calories from your current maintenance calories daily. The results will come. Good luck.

This is a lot of truth in a few words!

I am currently averaging 1700-1800 per day, and I am still losing. (I don't weigh myself, but my clothes have gotten loser during the past few weeks). I am guessing that I'm around high 150s to 160 (going by my clothing size), I'm 43, and I'm only 5 ft 3.

I did start out at 1400 per day, but a few weeks ago, I realized that I want to start eating at the level that I will probably be eating for the rest of my life. So, I figured out the calories for a decent goal weight (140-145) and decided to eat at that level of calories.

MyFitnessPal gave me a much higher number than I think is necessary also. I use the calorie calculator at freedieting.com and input my weight as 10 lbs less than it actually is - like right now, I'm using what it says for 135, not 145, which is between 1000 and 1200 a day. I also use the zig zag option which gives you different calorie counts for different days, so some days I can add in higher cal foods that otherwise wouldn't work.

Definitely up your calories! It's hard to say an exact number because that's something you'll have to experiment with (and depends on how much you're exercising too) but only 17lbs above a healthy BMI and eat somewhere between 1400-1800/day (although I do exercise a lot). Plus you say you're hungry so just another good reason. But make sure you're making good choices with that increase.

Another thing too, you're going to be at a higher risk of binging/overeating if you go too low. It's HARD to be hungry all the time and not really sustainable. You want something that you can stick to for the long haul.

This is the best advice. You have to find something sustainable.

For the first few days you might not be as hungry. It happens to me when I eat a large meal one day (way above my calories) and then the next day I'm not as hungry.

But I can't eat super low every day just because I felt fine one day. I'll get hungry again!

I would go with the recommendation that MyFitnessPal is giving you (I'm using it too and so far the recommendation works for me and my weight).

The key is to change how you eat over the loooooonnnnngggggg term. This isn't just a diet, it's for the rest of your life...

Thanks for all the replies, yall have been really helpfull ^_^.