calories for weight loss

Question
Hello,
I've recently started working out and am trying to get back into shape.  I'm hoping to lose somewhere around 23-27 lbs.  My question is how many calories should I be eating? I'm in college full-time so I do a lot of sitting but several times a week (I try for at least 3) I do go to the gym for anywhere from an hour and a half to two and a half hours. I usually do about 40 mins of cardio (various intervals) and then do weight training the rest of the time. I try to workout some at home even just doing some squats etc. Anyways I had been shooting for 1200 calories but I noticed a few times after I overindulged a bit I actually lost more weight than normal so I was wondering if possibly this was too little.  What is an appropriate amount of calories per day for weight loss and should that vary depending on if I'm working out or not? If it helps any I'm a 24 year old female 5'5 1/2'' and weight 155 currently if that helps any.  Thanks!

Answer
Hi Leisha,

It sounds like you have a pretty good plan for weight loss. Good that you include exercise in your regimen!

I believe 1200 calories is a bit low. The problem is, if you lose weight on this level, and then start eating the way you normally do, you'll gain it back (although it may take a while).

You can probably lose weight on 1600 calories, and the longer you can maintain that intake the more steadily you'll lose weight and the easier you'll keep it off!

Your weight will fluctuate from day to day based on all sorts of things, including muscle weight and fluid balance and time of day you're weighing and what you're wearing!  It's rarely an indication of what you've had to eat over the past few days.
I recommend keeping a chart of your weekly weights, and not paying too much attention to what your weight is on a daily basis. Having a graph helps you track the trend and as long as it's basically going down, you're doing the right thing!

1. Prev:Why am I not losing weight
2. Next:Freezing Foods