My starting weight was the same as your current weight, and my goal is similar to yours. I'm 5'6 1/2", medium boned, and 28 years old. Maybe that gives you enough information to see whether we're similar.

I lose 1-1.5 lbs. per week if I consistently stay under 1500 calories. But I had a hard time doing that -- found that I would eat too much junk food and go over calories at least three days per week. Right now I am not counting calories, just limiting my amount of junk food, but I estimate that I'm eating 1900-2100 per day. Now I'm losing maybe .5-1 lb. per week.

I agree with the advice that you should start out higher. It will take you a fair amount of time to lose 54 lbs., and it would be difficult to stay at around 1200 calories for all that time.

Good luck!

Every time I started an overly restrictive diet (less than 1500), I always ended up failing spectacularly after awhile when my body started rebelling against the perceived famine. I spent a lot of time thinking about the foods I wasn't eating and feeling deprived.

This time, I stayed around 1500-1600 for weight loss and I'm now maintaining around 2000. I'd like to eventually maintain around 2400.

I was very concerned with mucking up my metabolism and starving myself and losing muscle not fat and ending up worse off metabolically than when I started. I kept telling myself "hot furnace, hot furnace" - I wanted to reach a healthy weight, by eating healthy foods (that I liked!) with a healthy metabolism.

Thank you so much for all of your advice! I really appreciate it. I have decided to just alternate between 1300-1500 and see how it goes. If it doesn't work, I'll make some adjustments.

TBJ333 - We do have similar stats, I am also medium boned however you have a couple inches on me.. I'm 5'3". :)

For me 1200 to 1500 calories, I eat with few calories. It makes me feel fullest all day. Of course I eat 3 to 4 small meals with few snacks with fresh vegetables/ fruits.