Depending on your age that will be a factor too. If you are in your 30s most average women need about 1800 calories to maintain. You are a little shorter so I would probably put that number lower...1600-1700. Now I am not sure how fast you want to lose or how much you can manage, as in drastic overnight..or gradual. If you are ready and have cleaned out your pantry from most of your most tempting vices you're on a good start. Buy a scale from walmart or amazon and measure by grams...I find it to be the most accurate. There is a website called CalorieKing.com and it is a great tool to look up fruits, vegetables, meats, and they even have some restaurant calories too. Rule of thumb you can almost always find the calories of something online. Get yourself some scratch paper and a pen to go with your scale and calculate before or after you eat. Probably before you eat when you just start out until you get the right type of portions embedded in your head. Also download a calorie counting app. I personally use "Simple Calorie Count". You don't have to look up food on there you just put your math into it and done...adds up for the day. Keep inputting as you eat so you know how many you have left towards the end of the day.
I would try 1500 per day to start if where in your shoes and see how that goes. You can always adjust, and not every day has to be "on the spot" but it should average out through the week at 1500. Your weight loss should be fast without exercise based on this number, probably 2 lbs a week for you at most which is healthy rate. Try to walk or do low impact exercise if you can whenever you can...extra bonus of burned calories. When you're ready to add workouts there's some tools like Heart Rate Monitors to calculate how many calories you've burned more accurately.
Remember to eat high protein and quality foods with your calories counting to have proper nutrition. Cottage cheese, eggs, egg whites, low fat meat, non-starchy veggies, and be light handed on your oil/butter as it can add a LOT of calories. Just one tiny tablespoon can have over 100 calories. Not saying all fats are bad, but just keep it in mind. I avoid everything deep fat fried (in fact I don't really care for deep fried food anymore!! Makes me feel sick!!). Sauteing, grilling, baking are your new best friends. You will learn to cook differently and once it becomes a habit it should be easier. I have learned to use many substitutions and such over the years and am still learning! Read your food labels carefully and measure everything! There are tons of low calorie recipes online or substitutes for things...if you have more questions you got us to come to! Good luck!
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