Correct number of calories per day?

[kaleigh]

Hi,
My weight has recently gotten up to hovering around 130 (sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less), and I feel the need to do something about it.

Using the calculator in the FAQ my maintenance level is 1771 Calories/day. So to lose weight I should subtract 500 from this, or eat around 1200-1300 calories per day, correct?

I'm 22, female, 5'1, 130lbs and a student, so basically I walk to classes a few times a day, sit around doing lots of homework, and try to make it to the gym regularly, but at the moment am lucky if I make it 4 days per week, although sometimes I can make it 5-6. I do 20-40 minutes steady cardio (elliptical) and strength training.

I know diet is more important than workouts, so basically I just wanted to make sure it's safe to eat this little, because I know you shouldn't go under 1200, and I don't want to go into starvation mode. Any suggestions?

 

[theleip]

for your height and weight I wouldn't go below 1300. If I were you I would just up my activity a little more, cut back a tad on the calories and just make some healthy food choices. As well throw in a little strength training and do more intense bouts of shorter aerobic training. No need to do the long steady thing, especially if getting in a little walking everyday.

 

[kaleigh]

Thanks. I'm going to try to nail down a more specific training routine, so I'll be sure to add in some HIIT or something along those lines.

And I'll aim for 1300-1500 (sound good?) for a little while and see how this goes.