How many calories should I consume?

Question
I am trying to lose 20 lbs. I currently weigh 150 and am 5'7. I had a baby 8 weeks ago and am exclusively breastfeeding. I am a stay at home mom so my activities include running around after my toddler, breastfeeding, and I jog about 1 mile 5 days a week. I have been trying to consume between 1300-1400 calories per day. I am not sure this is enough/too much..? I want to saftely lose weight and not jeopardize my health or milk supply. Please tell me a safe number of calories I should aim to eat. Thanks so much.

Answer
Wow!  You must be starving :)

It sounds like you probably look great to anyone who meets you.  I'm impressed you are exercising already, it's great that you are breastfeeding, and I'm glad you are concerned with your health while you work towards your weight goal.

I would estimate you use about 2200 calories based on your height and weight; an additional 500 calories per day from breastfeeding, and another 100 calories just from the jogging, let alone the running around!
That's a total of 2800 calories per day you burn.

If you eat 2000 calories per day this should be a safe limit to get all the nutrition you need, while allowing 1+1/2 pounds per week weight loss.  This means you'll be at your goal in about three or four months, and won't be starving the entire time!  

Once you stop breastfeeding and reach your 130 pound goal (which is reasonable, but may be a bit on the slim side, depending on what you are used to) you can continue eating 2000 calories to maintain your weight for as long as you like ;)

Be Well,
Laurie

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