well, katy did say her number was based on the 10 calories per pound formula for maintenance. so op's number comparing in that fashion would be 2200 for maintaining, 1700ish for losing a pound a week.

Are most of your carbs low GI? Are you sensitive to carbs? Are you apple shaped? YOu might want to try swapping some of your carbs for lower GI ones, or reducing them in favor of more protein. Or you could try upping your calories to about 1700 a day. If neither of those work, you will either have to restirct carbs even lower, or cut calories lower. But I would personally try the first 2 options before the second 2. Don't worry: you will find your formula!

My bad, I was skimming replies

When you say you aren't "really" losing weight, what does that mean? How many pounds have you lost in how many weeks? It sounds like your clothes are a little looser, so you HAVE lost weight. If it's at least 1/2 pound a week (4 pounds in 8 weeks, then that is actually considered reasonable weight loss. Yes, a little low at your weight, but still reasonable.

I'm not sure I'd advocate eating more just on the basis of that information -- it's not going to hurt you to eat a little more, for sure, but if you are losing now, then honestly it's likely to slow it down further in the long run.

For the most part it really is calories in/calories out.

This is an EXCELLENT idea. The more you stress out about losing weight the less successful you will be.

Beyond that, I would suggest one of two things.

1) Lift weights. While it is unlikely to be the case since you're not that heavy often times obese people (not calling you obese) have difficulty oxidizing fat. Higher rep (10-12) with short rest intervals will help deplete muscle glycogen. Based on your history you may really benefit from this.

2) Consider low carbing it for the same reason. (Muscle gylcogen depletion.)

With all due respect to your trainers they are completely mistaken regarding meal frequency. If it is working for you then by all means continue but understand you're losing weight because you're restricting caloires, not because you're eating six small meals a day.

The calories you list for a day are very low regardless of the quantity of food. Hence you have lost weight. You're probably working your behind off in the gym too. Good for you!

P.S. - Not that it matters but I find it amusing. Your "snacks" appear to contain more caloires than your meals. (Except the orange.)

Hey Lucy,
Good job hanging on so long. I'd say go for it. Try increasing your calories and see if it works. In all seriousness, the plan you describe would/should make you the calorie counter poster child. From what you describe, you are doing every single thing possible and correctly to lose weight, but for some reason you are not. You say that past lab work show you don't have health issues, and if you are doing everything you say you are it is very baffling to me, (and I'm sure it would be to any health care professional) that you are not losing weight. I don't see any other choice than to try raising your calories. Just remember it is possible for your weight to go up a few pounds at first just from weight of the extra food in your colon.

I would also like to mention though, that some times weight loss happens in what we call around here, "whooshes". lol Your whoosh might be right around the corner. Tomorrow you might decide to eat 1800 calories and the next day you might be down 4 pounds all of a sudden. Please know that eating more calories didn't necessarily create the big drop overnight, but more probable it was just the time you body decided to dump the extra fluid and give you a new scale reading.

Keep us updated on your progress.

I don't think increasing calories is the right thing to do. Of course, I am no expert but I am a girl on a diet and weighed what you weigh. I have been on 1500 calories with usually just 100g of carbs a day. I think you should be doing cardio everyday. If you do eliptical or treadmill press the interval button and go super hard at it. Just my meager opinion.

Let us know what you do!