How many calories should I be eating?

I am a 24 year old, 5 2", 165 lb. female who is looking to lose about 30 pounds. I work out about 5-6 times a week. Usually, it's a minimum of 40 min on the elliptical, but it varies. I like to take kickboxing, spin and lifting classes as well.

I usually aim for 1,200 calories a day. I spread it over three meals, one optional snack and a small dessert (usually frozen yogurt).

Is this too few calories? I"m not losing quickly, and that's okay, but I wanted to gather some opinions. I am, by no means, restictiong my calories too much. I feel full and satisfied every day.

Mon. Dec 10, 12:06pm

If you are really working out 5-6 times a week and doing kickboxing and spinning classes and lifting weights you might not be eating enough which could be slowing down your loss. I think if you mix it up a bit you might see different results. On the days you know you are only going to be doing your 40 min stick to your 1200 cals, on the days you are going to be taking an additional class up your cals by 100-200 and get more protein, thats just really a snack if you think about it, maybe a greek yogurt, since it has more protein, and an apple. Have you lost weight and if so how much in what sort of time frame?

Monday, December 10, 2007, 12:47 PM

make sure you are getting enough of the good fats. Really helps speed up metabolism and brain function

Monday, December 10, 2007, 1:00 PM

That sounds about right to me, though you could eat a bit more, but you'd probably then lose a little slower. Just do what is sustainable for you.

I know this always creates controversy on here, but I really do believe that us short girls need fewer calories than the tall girls - there is simply less of you to sustain. I'm 5'1", and down to around 115lbs (certainly not underweight, but a good healthy size) and I aim for about 1300 cals/day (trying to maintain, not lose) and when I find that I'm eating more than that for several days in a row, I definitely begin gaining again!

But, you also probably work out more than I do.

Monday, December 10, 2007, 1:25 PM

I'm doing similar exercise and trying to keep 1200-1300 per day. I've been steadily but slowly losing weight. If it's working for you, keep at it. I second the poster above about eating a bit more on heavier exercise days. Also, if I'm really truly hungry, I eat a snack, no matter how many calories I've had in the day, because I believe my body is telling me to eat.

Monday, December 10, 2007, 3:17 PM

just make sure that they are the right calories and if you do snack, make sure that it has fiber and protein- not just refined carbs which actually make you hungrier...
I love an apple and lowfat cheese!

Monday, December 10, 2007, 3:21 PM

I agree with you 1:25 and would add that not all workouts are equal. Someone can easily mail it in on those cardio machines despite logging 30+ minutes on them. And 'losing slowly' means different things to different people. For some, if they don't see a loss of several pounds a week they think they're doing something wrong.

OP - sounds like you're doing okay if you're losing weight and you're not hungry. Keep it up!

Monday, December 10, 2007, 3:47 PM

I'm the future you!

I'm 26 and 5'2" and I do the same exercises as you. I do spin, kickboxing, elliptical, treadmill, and a lifting class. Also I started at 165 about a year ago. Now I'm 135 with 10 pounds left to go. I usually stayed between 1200 - 1400 calories. Now that I've got less to lose I've found more success if I stay closer to 1200. I lost an average of 1 pound a week. (Sometimes stayed the same for 3 weeks, then lost 3 in one week). And when life got crazy I just maintained for a while (like over my entire crazy summer).
I'm proof that your plan should work just fine in the long run! Good Luck!

Monday, December 10, 2007, 7:12 PM

Multiple your weight by 12 and that gives you the number of calories you should eat to maintain your current weight. To lose half a pound a week (which is a very respectable amount to lose) reduce your calories eaten by 250 and increase your calories burned by 250 by doing some additional exercise for a net loss of 500 calories a day. Good luck!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007, 9:56 AM

How many calories should I be eating?

I am 39 yrs old 5'2", 180 female, and while what you consuming calorie wise is fine, my nutritionalist stated one simple fact. In order to loose weight if you are eating healthy is 1200 in your exsercise should burn at least half or more of those calories.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007, 10:24 AM

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