Deficit -- how much is too much?

I'm sorry if this is already covered somewhere, but just wondering about this "deficit" debate... What is too much? What is too little?

In the past, I've had a tendency to do way too much cardio (6x week) and not take in enough calories. But, I'm eating better these days (still working out 6x week, with some strength training 3x week and reduced cardio on those days), and now various calculators suggest I'm burning approx 2200 calories a day.

Does this mean I should be eating 1700 calories a day to lose 1 pound per week? That seems high... I've been shooting for 1400 calories per day. Is that too low? Will my metabolism slow down if I eat 1400 calories per day?

Thanks for your help everyone!

The typical average for a safe and healthy 1-1.5 lbs weight loss per week is a deficit of 500-800. 

This is the deficit AFTER all your daily food intake and ALL your daily activities have been factored in.

If you should eat 2200 to maintain, and you eat 1700, and then you go burn 700 off, well, thats a final intake of only 1000.  Your deficit of 1200 is not in the usually recommended range.

I say usually recommended as some people have had success with a bigger deficit.  These people are usually starting out at a much higher weight and when embarking on a weight loss program, they should be followed by their doctor.

I have been doing the same thing. I would love to have the answer too. I'm also just really skeptical of the numbers I see on the calories burned. 

Sorry -- I should have been more clear...

I'm supposed to eat about 1600 to maintain, but I spend about 600 cals everyday in working out. So, that's the 2200 day total that I referred to.

That said, am I supposed to be eating 1700 cals a day to lose a pound a week?

That sounds correct.

The deficit should be:  Amount of calories burned living + amount of calories burned exercising should be 500-800 higher than the amount of calories you are eating.

So in your case, 1600 maintain + 600 exercise = 2200.

The recommended deficit amount is 500-800, giving you a range from 1400-1700.

While 1700 seems kinda high, this is an amount after exercise is calculated.  I don't think its high at all.

I think you should be ok if you keep it to between 1400 and 1700