Can anyone tell me how many calories I should eat per day to lose anywhere from 50 to 60 lbs.?

I am a 30 year old female. I weigh 199 pounds and I am 5 ft. 2 1/2 inches. I am currently working out 4 to 5 days per week doing circuit training for 40 minutes and cardio (treadmill) for 30 minutes. I used to drink sugar Kool-Aid every single day. At least three to four glasses per day. I also used to drink 3 to 4 cans of soda per week, but sometimes I would drink two with my dinner so that would increase the number. I also used to eat Little Debbie snack cakes and sugar candies such as Skittles and Starburst. I was in a habit of eating twice a day (lunch and dinner) and I ate pretty much whatever I wanted. I would dip most all meats and veggies in ranch dressing. I never exercised and I NEVER drank water. Now I am drinking at least 64 oz. or more per day. I was never a huge fan of fried foods. I may have fried catfish or fried okra every now and then. But I have did a 360 as far as eating is concerned. Also, I am now eating 4 to 5 small meals per day. Sometimes dinner is a little more than it should be, but I am trying to work on scaling that down.

Public Comments

1. i would just stick to the water like you are doing and cut out the pop and sugar kool-aid and skittles, just eat healthier foods. sounds like with what you were doing and just changing the way you eat will play a big part in losing some weight. try taking walks on top of that.
2. Good job on the food habit changes, it is sooo hard! You probably need between 1200-1500 calories per day. There should be some calculators online you can use to figure that out. I am 30 also and weigh 209, 5'5"...I just started weight watchers. I am not sure how many calories I can have per day, but I do their points system and its not too hard to follow...so you might try that. I would suggest smaller meals - like four or five per day, instead of two. That way your energy level is on an even keel all day long, instead of spikes and plunges.
3. You sound just like I did a couple of months ago when I was fifty pounds heavier. Sugar is the worst. Try splenda, it taste just like sugar. Drink coke zero. Also, breakfast is really the most important meal of the day. It has been proven to jump start you metabolism. Just like coffee wakes you up, breakfast wakes up your metabolism. Try to eat within one our hour of waking up. I also did weight watchers. I love that diet. Its the only diet where you can eat whatever you want. It teaches you how and when. You should check it out. Stay motivated and congratulations on taking the first step.