Calorie Requirements - Weight, Exercise, etc.

[WendiD]

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!

[kutie]

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!

[Psikilla]

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)