I was on a supervised 800-1000 calorie diet, but had to stop due to financial issues. I've switched to calorie counting, and staying pretty low carb, with practically ZERO processed refined crapola. I'm eating about 1600 per day now, meaning that some days it's closer to 1400, and a couple days closer to 1800, but it's getting easier. Does 1600 seem like a sensible calorie goal? It hasn't been difficult, I haven't been hungry. I stalled briefly when I first switched, but I expected that... and now I am losing again, just more slowly (obviously!) than I did at 800/day. I've really dropped inches lately, which is pretty cool.

I'm nearly 48 years old, 5'8, and am trying to work more regular exercise into my routine. It's a process. Fortunately I live in a big old house - laundry in the basement, bathroom and bedrooms upstairs, so I'm hauling my butt up and down stairs all.day.long. I drink about 100 oz water, plus plain black coffee per day. I'm trying to learn to love (as opposed to accepting) veggies. I'm built big, muscular, strong - does that factor in? I'm clueless, I guess - I think I picked 1600 out of the air, but I see that other eat far less. I'd just like to know what you more experienced calorie counters think.

Thank you for what you do!

I'm 23 years old, 5'7, and 282 pounds.. I'm currently eating around 1400-1500 calories a day.. the website I input my food recommends I eat 1700 to lose 3 pounds but I think that's too much! I say give yourself a week or two on the 1600 plan, if you feel you can cut out 100 calories then try 1500 for two weeks. Just listen to your body

You need to be careful not to eat too few calories. Your body will go into starvation mode and start saving the fat. I would reccomend a website like sparkpeople to tell you how many calories to eat and track the food you eat.

Well, I did refer to a website, which actually recommended closer to 1800 calories, but everyone isn't built the same, and our needs differ as we age, and that just seems like a lot. I know I'd lose on 1800, but I'll lose a bit quicker on 1600... :-)

I do use a website to figure our calories for everything, meaning I don't just guess. I do have a glass or two of wine every now and then - hubby is in the wine biz and we really like a glass of good wine. I just count the calories. :-)

I am 5 foot 3 and 270 pounds I stay under 1500 a day somedays its 1200 somedays 1400 I am very full on that honestly I eat more now then I did before calorie counting because I am eating the right things.

I am shooting for 1600 on weekdays and 1850 on weekends... but if I hit 1850 on a weekday - that is ok too. I tried 1300 - 1400 a while (and I tried being strict on carbs), but it was just torture for me... I was hungry a lot and I would "lose control" one day and over eat.

The 1600 - 1850 range (with about 50% coming from carbs) has really felt more do-able for me.

Do what works! Your calorie range sounds perfectly fine if that's what's working. I always suggest when limiting calories that you make sure those calories are nutrient dense, and sounds like you're doing that.

I no longer believe in starvation mode. Not for the average person. We don't know what true starvation is and neither do our bodies.

I stall and frequently...I personally think that is normal.

I too think your calorie range sounds right on the money. But of course only experimentation will tell you for sure.

Starvation mode? I'm also not a believer in it. I think that term is waaaaaay overused. I think it's more about starving your body of NUTRIENTS, not calories. Provided you make your calories nutrient rich, I wouldn't give starvation mode another thought.

Those nutrient rich foods will keep you full and satiated and stave off the cravings for the *junk*.

OK, thanks - I think I'll stick with the neighborhood of 1600 then, with 1800 for the occasional 'hungry' days. One website I saw someone recommend on this site (don't remember which) recommended 2088 calories for someone my size, my age, with a desk job, for fat loss... that just seems like too many, and the 1600 cal meal plan on that same site was really carb heavy and had "5 Chips Ahoy cookies" as evening snack. No freakin' way! I think it was Jillian's site that recommended 1800. I feel better when I limit the high-GI foods, so I'll stick with what feels right, I guess.

Thanks again to all of you!

Yep, I think I was right around 2000 calories and gaining at my high weight. I'm shorter...but still. I know if I ate my recommended calorie allotment I'd get nowhere. I truly don't know where they came up with those numbers.

From experience reading these boards, it seems to me most women have success around 1500-1600 calories, knowing a drop may be necessary as you get smaller. I started out at 1200 just 'cause. I had a cousin who had lost 100 pounds on 1200 calories a day and I was determined to do the same. In retrospect I wish I'd started with higher calories, but it all equals out in the end. I certainly didn't starve on 1200 calories.

1,600 sounds perfect for you. We're about the same height, and I shoot for around 1,600 low - 2,000 high. So yeah - I'd say you're right on. As long as you're not hungry, then I'd say you're doing ok. Just don't go below 1,200 without supervision.

Awesome, thanks so much!

My calorie range is 1200 - 1600, which means I average around 1400 or so over the week. Some days I'm just hungrier than other days. My plan has to be flexible enough to take that into consideration. I lose pretty steadily about 5-8 pounds a month.

I missed your post, rockinrobin. I tend not to crave what most people consider 'junk' (cookies, sugary crap) but there's a very good reason why I haven't made garlic mashed potatoes since I started my journey. I'll boil red potatoes, and I'll have a small one and let hubby pig out - that's good enough. I'm trying to make all my calories count nutrient-wise, and avoid being hungry. Right now it my TOM so I'm hungrier and crave raw beef, spinach, iron-rich food. I'm learning to remember my multivitamins and flaxseed/salmon oil capsules. I'm learning to listen to my body and feed it's needs, not its wants, if that makes sense.

Of course, some days all I want to do is EAT - those HUNGRY days. Not emotional eating, just hungry. I don't know what causes those, but as long as I stick with wholesome food I allow myself to eat more. So far it seems to be working.

I'm a bit older than you, and started around the same size. My average day is in 1500-1700 calorie range throughout this process. However the full range is anywhere from 1200-1900 depending on my hunger and activity.