[madscientist]

I have a fitday.com account, and it tells me I burn 3600 cals a day just on basal and lifestyle alone. But I don't know how many calories to eat to maintain or lose, it doesn't tell me. And I've tried several different calculators online and I get very different results with each one, so I'm confused. I've been eating very low (800-1000) for a few days and then I up it to 1500 for a few days just to keep my body from thinking its starving because I know it takes a few days for your body to adjust to a new calorie level and I just don't give it that time to say "Uh oh, I'm starving!" This is temporary, I'm trying to lose alot of weight for Spring Break. After that, its back to 2lbs a week or less. But for now, I have to really get it down to the letter or I won't meet my goal.

You can see in my profile I weigh 313, and I'm 5'5 with a large frame.

Any ideas?

[aphil]

Well, what the calculators are not telling you, is that the more you weigh-the more calories your body burns through the day just doing regular activities. It takes more work to move around 313 pounds all day than it does 160.
So, you do not have to start at a level of 1500 calories to lose weight at all. Save that low of a level for when you get under 200 pounds. For now, start at 2000 calories a day, and you should successfully lose on that level for quite some time given your starting weight. I was able to lose at 1800 calories a day easily when I was 211-all the way until about 185.
So, start out at around 2000, and stick with that until your weight loss slows down to less than a pound per week. Then you know it is time to drop the level to about 1800 for a while.
Also, make sure that you are eating healthy choices in your 2000 calories. It IS okay to have a treat now and then, but low fat chips, and snacky things should be treats, and not half of your diet. (Lots of newer calorie counters are guilty of this!) Make sure also to spread out your calories through the day as well.
Please let us know how you do this week with that level. I recommend weighing in once a week, at around the same time of day.
Good luck,
Aphil

[Heather]

I just want to say that I agree with everything aphil said! I started at around 300 pounds and lost successfully at 2000 calories/day. The first few months it was a little over 2 pounds/week. As I've lost I've gradually decreased the calories, but even now I'm averaging 1800-1900/day and losing (now 1 1/2-2 pounds/week). I have added more exercise as well (but I didn't to start).

Of course those calculators can be be wildly inaccurate and everybody's body's different, but there is no need to starve yourself to be successul!

And as for healthy eating-- amen! This is something that has gradually been worked more and more into my diet. When I started I began with portion control (actually, when I first started I didn't even count calories!) and I have really changed my eating over time. Lots more fruits and veggies, and then more whole grained foods and now more beans! As these foods have come in, the "junk" foods have moved out. I still let myself have them from time to time, but also find I crave them less.

If you like, feel free to join us in the 300+ group (under support groups)!

As for the spring break loss, I understand the sentiment, but I have decided I would rather build good habits I can live with forever than do something that may "boomerang" on me later. This is for the rest of my life.

Good luck!