Please Tell Me the Right Numbers!!!!!

Okay, I'm totally confused!!!!!  Here are my stats -

42 years old, 153 pounds, 5' 2", activity - light.  Would like to be down to 135.  How many calories do I need a day to lose?????????????????

For your stats, CC told me that you have a Burn Rate of 1900 if you are lightly active (e.s. if you exercise 1-3 days a week or run around during the day for work. This is how many calories your body will burn on average during a normal day.

To lose weight at 1 - 1.5 pounds a week for a lightly active person, CC suggests 1200 calories. If you increase your activity level, your calorie goal will increase. DO NOT GO BELOW 1200 CALORIES -- because you will put your metabolism at risk.

It's basically math:  Your body (based on the stats you provided) burns about 1900 calories a day with light activity and you are going to consume 1200 calories a day. Your daily deficit will be 700 calories. This level of deficit will have you lose 1 - 1.5 pounds a week. If you exercise a bit more than ususal your deficit will increase as will your weight loss. To lose a pound, you need to create a deficit of 3500 calories. These "deficit" calories are usually spread across a week such that a person averages 500 calorie deficit per day. In no cases should a person's deficit (calories consumed - calories burned) exceed 1000.

Good luck.

Have you filled out your profile? Updated your settings? All the information is there when you complete your profile.

By doing it yourself, I think it is easier to grasp all the terminologies - BMR, burn calories, deficit, etc. - than if you have someone do it for you.

Give it a try!

BUMP

1200 cals per day

everything that scaroppo indicates; is exactly what i obtained for you as well.

just hit the TOOLS tab...and begin, my friend.  that is no better way to do it than to just dive in with heart mind and soul.

feel free to always ask. someone is always here to help.