Hi,

I joined this board quite awhile ago and never really stuck around (and didn't stick to the weight loss plan either!)

I'm back - and ready to make this work.

I am 26 years old, mom to two girls and have been yo-yo'ing on weight loss/gain the past 7 years.

My highest (not including pregnancy) has been 200 and my lowest 115. Right now I weigh 167. I am 5'2.

I am not sure how many calories I should aim to eat, I have to do research and figure that out. I've been logging everything in Fitday all week and average around 1600 per day.

Looking forward to losing with you all.

Hi.

I don't know how many calories you should be eating, that is a very personal thing that varies from person to person. If 1600 is working for you, then it sounds like where you need to be, right now.

1600 is a good place to start. See how that goes for a few weeks, and you can drop it down by 50-100 if you aren't losing.

It's always better to start higher, that way you have somewhere to drop down to.
Also - getting in good exercise every day will allow you to keep your calories higher and still lose.

I did weight watchers flex plan quite a few years ago and lost a lot of weight on it. I can't bother with the points again (I've tried, I can't get into it) but am going to try the flexible eating. Meaning I'll have a calorie bank for the week and some days eat more, some days less as long as I don't go over the weekly limit.

Welcome Back

I agree that 1600 is a good number to start with. Eventually you will find what works for you.

Lori

you sound like me...my heaviest was 216....I am now 178...I aM A SHORTIE AT 5FOOT 2 INCHES

Hi There! I'm new myself, but I'll welcome you back anyway! I'm also not too tall - 5' 4" - which makes it a little harder for us to lose. Have to eat less and exercise more than the taller folks.
But we can do it! :-)