How many calories per day?

[Tepeo]

I'd really like some help with calorie counting please.
Current daily calories are 2000-2500, generally around 2250 and I struggle to even stick to 1800 (I'm amazed at how some people manage on as low as 1200).
I'd like to lose half a stone, maybe a stone. So not alot to lose but I really struggle with lesser calories (obviously I'm not losing weight on current calories, 2-2.5K is generally what I eat and stay the same, though will lose maybe 1lb now and again). I walk alot most days and gym generally 3x a week (1hr sessions, mostly weights).
I know I need to reduce my calories and would struggle to fit in more exercise.

The only way I can do it is to cut a meal out altogether and eat what I normally would the rest of the day. For me I skip breakfast, have a decent lunch and then either a small tea or normal tea depending on how hungry I am. My breakfast is usually around 500 calories so this helps a lot.

Thank you, that's a good plan (I generally wouldn't be able to miss breakfast as often wake-up hungry but lunch could be possible if I make myself have some discipline. Then have dinner (as I can't go to bed hungry, I'll wake in the night stomach rumbling unable to sleep and get something to eat).

That's a good option. Or if you struggle I'd do breakfast but 30-60 mins late (whatever you can manage), skip lunch and then early dinner at 4pm ish. Then ideally nothing later but if you are starving a banana is a good option to keep the bedtime hunger at bay but isn't so appetising that you'll eat it for the sake of it 😂

I have to eat 1200 - 1300 to lose anything at all. I’m 11st and 5’6, mid 40’s.
How old are you OP? It really makes a difference

I often skip breakfast or have a banana and coffee
Lunch is often crackers or a few under 100kcal items (crisps, peppers I, kitkat etc)
Dinner is my main meal but I try to keep it low calories

My downfall is choc though always say one square but I end up having 5 or 10 which all adds up in calories

I'm 5' 8 and weigh 68kg and need to stick to 1500 to lose weight. I generally stick to this Sun-Thurs then go above at the weekends so understandably, maintain rather than lose.

I go to the gym 4 x week and do heavy weights (1 x PT) with a top up of cardio.

That's a lot of calories @Tepeo I'm jealous!

What is your height/weight?

Bananas are good idea (if I wake hungry it'll be a peanut butter sandwich or bowl of cereal but bananas I wouldn't eat unless hungry so before bed would be better than a midnight snack).

I'm in my 40s, I put weight on during covid (eating more and less activity) and since haven't lost it and now years later still weigh a stone more (it is more difficult now as I didn't easily gain weight and could lose any so easily when younger).

The problem isn't so much my weight, it's how I carry any extra (I have a small build, shoulders, hips, wrists etc. And any extra weight goes straight to my belly, which is wobbly. Arms and legs are small and toned. Small chest. Then an out of proportion belly and non-existent glutes). I'm 5 7 and 9 10 (at 8 10 I didn't have a flat stomach but didn't need to dress to cover it either as I do now. That was the lowest I weighed and I remember 9 4 being alot better than now). We have a big holiday at the end of the summer and would love to lose some of the belly for then!

You have to work out your TDEE, theres lots of calcultors, you cant just guess it

It wont be an exact science but Ive never had a problem with the measurements even with hormone related health issues that slow my metabolism, it just means I lose slightly slower but Im ok with that.