How many calories should I have each day to lose weight?

I am very confused about how many calories I should be consuming. I am 35, 5'5 and about 145lbs. I checked calculators online for lightly active people and it says to maintain my current weight, I should consume 1825 cals. I have been eating about 1300-1500 per day and doing the bike for 45 minutes (shows 500 cals burned). I am eating too much? Too little?

Tue. Jul 25, 9:58am

is 1825 cal is probably what you would need to maintain that weight with a light activity level....

500 cal burned/not eaten per day for 1 week will = 1 lb loss.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006, 10:41 AM

sorry... I just read that closer... you are right on if you are losing 1 lb per week... what is your weight loss? Calorie counting is kinda a game you have to adjust to your body...

Tuesday, July 25, 2006, 10:44 AM

I also wouldn't rely on the calorie counter on the exercise bike - everyone burns calories differently, and you'll even burn fewer calories doing the same exercise every day over a period of time because your body becomes more efficient at it.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006, 2:35 PM

yeah, definitely ignore the calorie counter on the bike-indstead log miles and how physically tired you are after the workout. biking is a great exercise, however it doesn't burn an enormous amount of calories in a short time. I road bike and average 300-400 calories burned per hour (i'm a 165 lbs). Not to burst your bubble at all, but try to vary your workout a little, go for brisk walks, maybe try running, try other machines at the gym (if you go to one)-and vary the speed and elevation of your workouts. goof luck!!

oh also, if you have been restricting your calories for a couple of months and are plateauing, try upping you calorie intake for a couple of days so your body realizes that you aren't being starved. this will jump start you again!

Tuesday, July 25, 2006, 2:43 PM

I agree the 1825 is probably what they calculated you need to maintain you weight so if you reduce to 1325 you should be losing a lb a week with excercise that will make it go of a big faster but you also have to realize these are all calcualtions, so you made need less than 1825 to maintain your weight and you may not actually be burning 500 calories when you workout. These are good guidelines though, if you not losing either cut more calories or increase your workout.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006, 10:19 AM

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