Hi everyone! I really need calorie requirements explained to me. I am 5'3 and 118 pounds. I would like to lose 8-10 pounds. In the last few years, I have gained a few pounds mostly in my thighs and hips. Everything else looks the same (flat stomach, etc.) as it used to. So, I now look out of proportion.

I have always heard that a person needs 10 to 12 times their body weight in calories to function and that a person should never go below 1200.

Well, for me, I would need 1180 to 1416 calories to function. 1180 is already below 1200. So, how the heck can I reduce my calories by 500 a day to lose a pound (3500 calories) a week?

Another question....How does exercise factor into calorie intake? I exercise (toning and cardio) for about 60-90 minutes, 6 days a week. I have been keeping my calories at 1200, but haven't lost a pound in MANY months of doing this. I have now cut my carbs by 2/3 and upped my protein, but still haven't lost pounds OR inches. In fact, all my jeans are really tight lately.

I am starting to wonder if 1200 calories isn't enough (because of the exercise) even though I only weigh 118 pounds?

Can anyone tell me what I should do? Thank you SOOO much for your help!

Maybe you need to eat more to loose weight. This girl at my gym said she wasn't loosing weight and she was doing everything - including starving herself. She started eating more and the pounds started dropping off. Just keep exercising!

Hey body was probably in starvation mode (lack of water or fat) so her body had been storing it thinking it would not be getting anymore (like she was starving)