Where do I start?

Hello everyone.  My name is Robbin.  I have tried everything.  My husband started with a group at work counting calories and it has helped him, so I'm going to try.  I'm just a little confused about the site.  If I stay under the calories burned, is that good or do I need to stay under goal calories to eat for the day.  I'm looking at the different topics on the site, just hoping to get some help from the experts.

You came to the right place 

There are loads of people on here to give you advice.  You may not get quick responses on a Friday evening, but they will come!

While its hard to give much advice without your basic stats (weight, height, goals, fitness level, and brief outline of your basic diet), I can assume that you have used the basic tools (entered your current/goal weight and activity level?)

If you have taken those steps, you will want to create a calorie deficit to lose weight.  This means you want to eat less than you burn.  A 500 calorie deficit a day will have you losing about 1 lb. a week (3500 cals is a lb.).  You don't want to have more than a 1000 calorie deficit, and you want to make sure you are eating at least 1200 calories a day, these calories are essential for body function even if you are sedentary.

Check out the starred posts at the top of each forum for some great information, and keep posting!

Good luck!

Thank you.  That is what I was questioning.  If I pick 500 calorie deficit and I burn 2500 calories, then my intake needs to be 2000.  The two different counters was throwing me a little.  Thanks again and good luck with your goals.

Welcome Robbin, if you have any other questions feel free to message me!! CC is great and full of useful information. You have the deficit correct, 500-700 is generally safe. The goal is to eat under the burn meter, not to eat meter. The eat meter is what you should strive for, or 500-700 less than the burn meter for the day. good luck :)