Will I lose weight with 1600-1700 calories per day?

[PrincessBananaH]

I am 5.2 ft tall and weight just over 10 stones, have gained a lot of weight over the past 2 years (had a DC, little time to work out, sedentary job).
I want to lose weight and go back to how I used to be, my aim is to lose at least 1 stone but am not in a rush and am looking for a lifestyle change rather than a very restrictive diet that will work in the short term but not in the long run (been there).
The way I reached the current weight was mainly by eating pretty much whatever I fancied at any given time and not exercising. So I'd say that in average, I used to eat about 2000-2200 Kcal per day with a sedentary life. Based on myfitnesspal I'd have to eat 1300 kcal per day to lose weight but for me it is simply not sustainable. So I wonder if limiting my daily intake to 1600-1700 kcal per day (plus a heavier meal in the weekend if eating out or having a take away) and doing a quick 25-30 min workout 3 times a week I can expect to lose weight over the next few months?
I have started a few weeks ago and already feel better, I can see that from my jeans etc but not sure if it will continue in the long run or whether I'd have to cut calories further in order to properly shed weight.

As I said, I am aiming for a sustainable lifestyle change, I'd rather get there slowly in 6 months than restricting myself too much to lose all the weight in 2 months.

@MiltonNorthern No, it's not much. But given OP is 5'2 and wants to LOSE weight rather than sustain, she needs to decrease her calorie intake for a while. Dieting is about controlling appetite.

What I meant was perhaps if she explains what she normally eats and her routine, other posters might have good ideas for low fat ideas, or smart swaps to help make it possible to get used to lower calories.

oops, posted too soon. I hate to think what my actual calorie intake was prior to counting. I've lost some weight already, based on c 1500/day, (I'm pretty active)and I'm not even hungry - although there are a lot of things I'd like to eat! I may not continue with the paid version of the app, but I've definitely shook up what- and how much - I eat

This is a really good shout. I thought I was pretty clued up and knew what things were ok and what were my weaknesses, but logging everything was eye opening.

Probably not.

The other thing is that by logging what you are doing now, you can see, for example, what that weekend takeaway is like in terms of calories. If you go down to 1600, but then eat two takeaways on the weekend, having an extra dish each time as you are very hungry by then, that will wipe out any deficit.

You have to be realistic, I also used to eat what I wanted when I wanted, and did that til I was about 35/36 and it was fab. For whatever reason, metabolism, medication changes, having kids, it all changed and now I could not do that and remain my size 12 self. That's not a thing for me anymore. I really wish it was!

Ok, I am a bit scared to write down my food habits but thanks to those who want to help. I’ll be fully honest, don’t want to make myself look better by tweaking the truth so, on an average working day I would now eat:

Breakfast: cappuccino + either rice cakes with almond or peanut butter and banana (or sometimes I have porridge instead, one sachet with milk and banana). Usually all this is around 400 cals

Mid morning snack: some days I can avoid morning snacking but if hungry I usually have a handful of nuts or 2-3 ricecakes. 100 cals

Lunch: massively depends but to provide a couple of examples, could be either a big salad with greens, feta or tuna, 1 spoon of olive oil, some seeds + starchy element which could be anything between a brown bread roll or rice cakes, depending on what I have. If at work and need to purchase lunch I’d go for a rice or cous cous salad type thing. 500 cals

Pm snack: this is when I get really hungry. I try and stick to fruit, greek yoghurt, nuts, dried fruit etc. I will sometimes have a small piece of chocolate if it’s around.
I try to stick to 100 cals but sometimes can be 200 cals

Dinner: can be anything really but frequent meals are vegetables or legumes curry or dahl with rice (1 cup of curry and 1 cup of rice) with some extra veg on the side to fill me up. Sometimes is a frittata with a bread roll and some veg (roasted, steamed, pan fried with a small amount of olive oil etc). Pasta (although I have reduced that as a small portion of pasta makes me sad and I’d rather just have something else instead). Roasted chicked with potatoes and veg. A ramen noodle soup.
500-600 cals

I sometimes have a bit of fruit after dinner too.

So I normally log my meals and it works out to be 1650-1700 cals per day.

I do have a couple of treats each week, like an indian take away dinner once a week and sometimes a nice brunch (with egg benedicts for example).

I am not vegan but try to limit meat and fish intake as much as I can for various reasons. Wouldn’t want to eat meat every day or so, am trying to have mainly plant based meals.

How are some people of a similar hight as mine slim even though they consume 1700-1800 cal per day and exercise moderately? My cousin for example has been slim all her life and has never been on a diet. Is it just a matter of having a good metabolism or rather keeping the intake regular over a long period of time so they never gained weight in the first place?

I think a lot of it isn’t an exact science, we’re all individuals. It’s a bit like the mpg advertised on a new car, in perfect test conditions they can say the vehicle will get 55mpg, but in your experience it might be more like 35, your neighbour with the same car might get 50.

Our bodies are all working at different rates of output, different hormonal balances, and unless we’re really rigid in counting, different input.

A lot of people talk about slim people who eat like horses, but unless you’re monitoring them 24/7 it’s very hard to judge from a snapshot.

You could go mad asking yourself that.
Headline calories aren't always equal depending on how they're cooked and processed.
Different people are better or worse at calorie counting.
Some people live in three story houses, some in flats, some are just plain fidgety, some shiver in under heated offices, some spend their lives making cups of tea and going to the loo while some don't move anything apart from their mouse hand from 9 til noon.

That sounds pretty balanced, is that your ‘eating whatever I want’ diary, or is that what you’re doing now to try to lose weight? What was your before like?

@BranchGold no this is what I am doing now.
Before the main differences would be eating bigger portions and more processed carbs (lunch when in the office would often be a baguette from pret and would eat much bigger portions at dinner without even thinking). I’d also indulge more often on leas healthy foods so for example I’d have crisps once or twice a week, more chocolate treats when in the office (as they are available to consume) etc

Just try it for a few weeks and see if you lose!

I’m a bit taller than you but lose 1-2lb a week on 1700. I have a sedentary job and do no formal exercise. I do have horses so caring for them burns a few calories but doubt it’s anything major. I’m not particularly overweight either, it’s more vanity pounds.

Give it 4-6 weeks and see if/what you lose. Far better to be sustainable. I’ve managed 1500 in the past but couldn’t go lower.

@Pamcakey agree, 1500 is the very minimum I can do, anything less is just too miserable

I am the same size as you and I find it hard to lose weight, I exercise almost every day and stick to around 1500kal each day but I can never really get under 9 stone (Im usually between 9 and 10). My BMI is spot on so I’m not too worried.

@PrincessBananaH life isn’t worth living without a bit of chocolate 😂

@Lovemusic82 tbh it isn’t just about weight but body shape too. I went through a phase before DC when I was quite fit but still heavier than I had been, because I had muscle as I was going to the gym regulalry

I personally think calories are a huge red flag.
I don't count calories but, I'm intermittent fasting so, only eat between 12pm - 6pm.
Moving is the big thing, I move a lot but, also have a desk job. It can be done.

You need to make sure you're eating the right foods that make you full and feel good.
Hunger is a mindset.

If you were eating over 2000 a day and are now eating around 1650 then I would honestly stick to that for 3 months and see how it goes.

A red flag? Do you mean a red herring?

Are you weighing your food or eyeballing it? If you're not using kitchen scales to measure things you will get nowhere fast.

Hunger isn't a mindset, what kind of nonsense is this!

Also short with a rubbish metabolism. I know I lose weight on 1200 calories. I eat back anything burned through exercise at that which allows wine/ chocolate if I've had a good run.

I started intermittent fasting in the summer (skipping breakfast and eating between 1&9 in the evening). Dropped easily from 67kg to 64kg. Missed lunch 2x this week and dropped again to 63.

Currently run 2x, climb 1x; gym 1x a week.

V sedentary job. Some days I struggle to break 2000 steps at work and sit on my bum for 10hrs.

@JessicaBrassica I need to look into intermittent fasting, many people suggest that. Do you also do it in the weekend?

Its a lot of food , if you pick the right sort of food.

I'm 5 ft 6ish and have lost half a stone since 1 jan, (bit over a lb a week?) by upping my exercise and watching my calories. I run 20-25 miles a week and try to do 1-2 weight/strength/circuit sessions. Just checked my fitness pal and I generally eat 1650-1900 a day. Long run day (Sunday, usually 10 + miles) I generally eat more. Maybe 2200/2300.

Works for me. No idea how people manage to eat 1300 calories. It's too little! I think you can eat some exercise calories provided you don't over estimate them....