weigh loss. how many calories do we really need !!!???

Question

well hi everyone,
i have been wanting to lose weight..iam 40 yrs old, i weighed 170 pounds. iam 5/4 .
i started cutting back on july 20th. i eat several small meals(all sensible) i cut out soft drinks and juices.
i eat lean cuisene& budget goumet meals plus tuna, soups, mainly i stay at 1,200 calories or below. like today it was only 850 so far. iam not hungry.its 8pm at nite.
ive lost 6 pounds in 9 days.
ive took alot of advice from this yahoo questions place.
anyway..how many calories do we actually use to breath, and keep us going. ?? i also walk 1-3 miles per day.
let me know . thanks, candy.

hey guys, so ive looked at some advice from all of you..first thanks!!!
i will give example of my food for today..breakfast- i pack of quaker grits ,i egg,and 1 piece of whole wheat toast(spray on fat free butter)..lunch- i slice of whole wheat bread with deli select thin sliced chicken (50 calories) w/mustard.& 15 low fat lays chips. water ...dinner: subway 6 inch sweet onion chicken tereyakee sub on whole wheat..w/ green peppers, onion sauce and lettuce....low fat chips and water.
snacks ..sugar free hunts pudding.i cserving, apple sauce. water all the time
but somedays i have coffee w/sweet in low, or 2% milk.
somedays i have special k cereal.
mostly eatting deli select and butterball sandwich meats on whole wheat bread w/mustard.
still walking about 10 miles per week or more.i work 6am -2pm standing(manager at resturant)..i also eat some cereal bars.
so do u still think 1,200 calories are ok for each day?
i will eat normal food, but watch and dont overeat.
5/4 165 pds now

Answer 1

The advised diet is usually 2000 calories, but that can change based on your activity and your personal metabolism. If you find that 1200 calories is enough for you, and you can maintain your activity without feeling weak, then that might be your target for a while.

Remeber, however, that you are burning calories stored in your fatty tissues as part of your diet. Eventually will need to bring your dietary needs back into line with your normal calorie intake. Take note of any feelings of fatigue or light-headedness, as these can indicate a need for a higher calorie diet.

Answer 2

To lose weight sensibly, figure out how many calories you need to maintain your current weight at your current activity level. If you don't do anything but sit in front of the computer all day, multiply your weight by 14. If you exercize a couple of times a week, multiply your weight by 17. If you work out almost daily, multiply your weight by 20. This tells you how many calories you need to stay the same weight you are. Now do the same for your goal weight. That's the number of calories you should be eating.

Don't cut the calories too low - your body will think it's starving and instead of losing weight, it will store the fat for emergencies. At your height, you really shouldn't go below 1200 calories per day. Your optimum weight for your height is between 110 and 130, so you should try to consume about 2000 calories a day. You need 2900 just to stay at your current weight.

ADDITIONAL INFO:
Absolutely do NOT go under 1200 calories a day. In fact, I wouldn't go under 1500 calories a day. It's good that you're so dedicated - but keep in mind that losing the weight very fast is NOT the best way to go. If you lose it too fast you could be setting yourself up for serious health problems. At the very least you'll only gain it back later. You need to establish good eating habits that provide all of the nutrition you need. I don't see a lot of fruits and vegetables in your list - they provide lots of nutrients that you need, and vegetables especially have very few calories. By eating foods that are good for you in the correct portions, and exercising moderately, you'll be able to reach and maintain a weight at which you can feel comfortable. Remember, once the weight is off, you don't get to go back to your old habits.

Answer 3

First, let me say that you current weight loss rate is simply not safe. The safest weight loss method is 1 lb per week.

To do so, you must first find your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate). You can do so here.

http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

This number, is the number of calories your body needs to run all basic bodily functions.

To lose a pound per week. Just simply consume 500 calories less than your BRM.

Or, Consume about the same number of calories as your BMR, and burn 500 calories through exercise. (This site contains an esimate of the amount of calories you burn doing everyday activities: http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/jumpsite/calculat.htm )

(The second method is essentially healthier, for you body needs exercise and you'll be recieving more nutrients through more food.)

Doing so- you will drop 500 calories per day. And in 7 days (one week) you will have burned 3500 calories. Or, about 1lb.

Also, eat plenty of nutrient dense food(fruits, vegetables, berries, nuts, lean meats). Instead of empty calories (junk food)

Here, you will find a lost of "The worlds healthiest foods".

http://whfoods.com/foodstoc.php

And, of course, ask a doctor before beginning these routines.

Good Luck! :]

Answer 4

Less than 500 calories a day.

Your body doesn't need more than 200 to survive.

Malnutrition-Smalnutrition.

And munch on celery.

Stop eating those lean cuisine meals. Eat only organic meals. Much healthier.

Processed foods can cause you to gain more weight.

Fish is great. You're doing a great job. I'm proud of you.

<3
Stranger

Answer 5

i think the average person eats about 2,000 calories a day. but it depends on the kind of lifestyle you lead, how many calories you need. walking 1 to 3 miles a day burns a lot of calories that you do need to replenish. look on google for sites that tell you how many you are burning do different activities, and base it off of that. seems like you are losing a lot of weight, fast, though so i wouldn't worry too much about it and just keep doing what your doing. (or go to a nutrionist for help on dieting and fitness)

Answer 6

Where you are walking everyday I'd say stay around the 1200 calorie mark. You don't want to lose calcium and nutrients with whatever fat you are losing. Be careful Drs say not to lose more than 3 lbs a week. They say it is unsafe.

Answer 7

As terrible as it is, the Germans figured out during the Holocaust that on 186 calories a day, an adult can stay alive practically forever, just existing. You'll be gaunt and starving, but you can live and survive. What a horrible way to find out somehthing like that, huh?

Answer 8

exchanging your vitamin to just healthful meals is the quality factor you'll be able to do and can make certain you're going to shed some pounds if mix with going for walks daily in particular. you'll be able to consume how a lot you favor in the event you keep inside those three recommendations and nonetheless lose fats clearly and steadily. You will have to lose 10lbs each and every month on common. one million.consume simplest steamed lean meats, eggs, healthful culmination ,veggies, nuts, grains, & yogurt..two. drink simplest water, juice, & milk..three. stroll or do a little bodily pastime one million-three hour everyday. (btw, propose you additionally to shop for an digital meals steamer ((Very affordable)) and a rice cooker as makes it very handy to organize healthful foods ,,upload a little of olive oil and pepper, spices on best of steamed vegeatables, fish or hen so as to add extra style if want as those are healthful too.)

Answer 9

sounds to me like you are off to a good start. i actually was looking for the same thing and saw on several sites that if you reajust how many calories that you eat your body also reajusts to how much it burns, so the less you eat, then the less your metabolism works to burn the calories. (if that makes sense?) it says the best way to burn fat is excersise, walking, cardio... so it sounds like you are doing what you need to be doing if you are losing weight. good luck and keep it up, hopefully i can jump on the banwagon here soon!

Answer 10

you are starving yourself, and it is likely you're metabolism will become stagnant. No one of reasonable health and size should consume fewer than 1500 kcals daily. Just adjust your macronutrient ratios (carb, protein, fat), do resistance training, and aim for loosing NO MORE than 1 lb per week. Anything more will likely come from lean mass, and will only hurt your physical image.