[purplepumpkin]

I am starting my journey towards weight loss and I am trying to use this weekend to lay down a strategy that I can then follow.
I joined a gym already, now it's time to think about food.
I will not use any prepackaged diet system like WW or Atkins or South Beach, because I do get quite picky about food and I want to make small changes to my diet every week to get used to things (more likely to stick to it that way). So I will be counting calories.

My question now is HOW MANY CALORIES SHOULD I AIM FOR?
Is there a formula that I can use? A minimum daily caloric intake I should meet? I know I should be in caloric deficit (calories IN < calories OUT), but by how much? 200 cals a day? 400 cals a day????

Also, what percentage of my calories should I eat at each meal? I am planning on having breakfast, lunch, a snack and dinner.

Any help/suggestion would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!!

[purplepumpkin]

Never mind, i just read the counting to cutting post that answered my question

thanks!

[bargoo]

I am slightly shorter than you and started out heavier.I lost on about 1400 calories a day. Divided up like this :
Breakfast
Snack
Lunch
Snack
Dinner
Snack.
I eat something about every 3 hours, snacks are 100 calories or less.
I plan my meals ahead of time, really doesn't take that much time and stay withon my calorie allottment.