my situation

Ok, I'm new here, but have been on a long road to losing the weight. Started back in 2007, i was 22 stone (308lbs), I am now 17.5 stone (245lbs). I should add, I'm male 6ft 2 and am 22 years old.

I achieved that be walking, jogging, gym over the duration..over the 2 years i went on and off the wagon so there was a bit of fluctuation...i also cut alcohol out of my diet for large portions of the year as well as some foods that I loved but were just plain bad for me.

Recently I have been doing some weight training and also Muay Thai kick boxing (for 3 to 4months), Judo (1 month) and my fair share of walking.

I am a week an a half into a regime where i consume between 1000-1200 calories a day, doing wight training four days a week (1 protein shake a day plus multi vitamins) I do Muay Thai twice a week and Judo once, I walk usually about an hour..maybe more a day.

The reason for the low caloric intake is I want results..im aware of crash diets etc, but after 8 weeks of my plan, i intend moving it to 1500 calories a day, I will continue that for 4 weeks, after that, move it back up to 2000 of which I intend to maintain and stick to strictly...i understand that ill probably end up putting back on a little bit of the weight lost.

Is what I'm doing, too much for my body to take?

Your body will probably regain a lot, probably enough to not make it worth your while to do this.  Its definately too much for your body.  Why be so cruel to it unnecessarily.  You have already been losing quite a bit of weight why change your plan so much.   Everyone wants results...otherwise we wouldnt have joined this website!  This website is about doing it in a healthy manner.   No one is going to approve of this plan...its against website regulations and just plain bad for you.

so if i continued what i was doing, but upped my caloric intake to at least 1500, would that take it up enough?

You should not drop below 1500 calories so that is the bottom of the line but I would try it for a while then bump up your intake and see what that does.  I really can't say that there is an exact science but I wouldn't go below 1500 calories per day especially since you are active...

By the way, congrats on your success so far...

thanks, just saw how many times something like this is asked there..should really have done a bit of looking up before posting. Thanks for the help anyway!

Rather than guessing why not use the CC calculator?  Enter your current stats and pick the activity level that is closest to what you do.  Enter your target weight and a reasonable target date based on a 2lbs per week loss..... then you should get a reasonable indication of your weight-loss calorie intake.

I calculate that, with a light to moderate level of activity you need between 3300 and 4000 cals a day just to maintain your weight.  So to lose weight you're looking at 2500-3000  cals a day I would estimate.  If you're aware of the dangers of crash-dieting it's a bit of a no-brainer really..... so don't do it.  It will set off more problems than it will resolve.

Because you're a) young, b) male and c) pretty active I would guess that you might see a little short-term gain if you go straight to 2500-3000 but that this would be very temporary and you'd see steady weight-loss after that point.  Much more importantly you'd be getting the right nutrition and energy to function properly, physically and mentally.  Also, you'd be able to maintain the loss when you got to your target weight with a relatively small increase.

you see thats the thing..i think the most ive ever eaten in a day was like 3000 calories..3500 tops EVER (prob usually about 2500-2600)and i got to 22 stone that way... and it was saying eat 2300 or so and you'll lose weight i was thinkign that cant be right. thats what id eat normally without even worrying about losing weight, thats why i assumed id have to drop it down by 1000 to see results, so if am eating 2100-2300 i thought well if i wanna see results, drop to 1100-1300.

although i understand completely your point, its just sorta hard to get my head behind it.

Do you know for a fact that you used to eat 3000 a day?  Or are you just guessing?...  The truth is that most overweight people become overweight because they drastically underestimate the amount they eat.  Most underweight people do the reverse.   Unless you were physically clocking the  calories of every morsel that passed your lips, were weighing your portions and counting every glass of beer you had, you were probably eating far more than you think.  If you were completely inactive at the same time... it merely compounds the problem.

You have to trust that your body behaves exactly the same way as any other healthy, normal 22 year-old male and that you don't have some freakishly slow metabolism or bizarre medical condition.  However, if you persist with a 1200 calorie diet or whatever it was you were planning to do for several weeks you will definitely end up with a slow metabolism.... and then you've got problems.

You have youth and time on your side.  That means you can do this right if you are just patient and willing to accept slower, more lasting results.  If you can do that, then you won't find yourself like me, pushing 67 and immobile due to illness and having to lose weight or die (see my profile).

Give your body adequate nourishment so you can build muscles that will burn those calories more efficiently.

Look at this picture

Muscle vs Fat

See how much smaller and tighter the 5 pounds of muscle is?  That means you can get more toned and stronger without getting lighter on the scale.  Keep reading and you'll make more discoveries that will help you on the path to great health!  Read the Advice section!  Good Luck!

Well now...that little graphic opened my eyes!  Intellectually I knew fat was blobbier than muscle.   But that is a remarkable difference! 

It also explains why I have lost a few inches, dropped a pants size and weigh only 2 lbs less than I did 6 weeks ago. 

Yes! It takes a life time of healthy eating...not spurts. Remember you are in this for the long hall not sprinting. Good luck.