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.

@ErrolTheDragon yes I also think that most people want to see quick results, which obv are only going to happen with a major deficit. I don't really mind if it takes me 3, 6 or 9 months to get there, I just want to be more mindful of what I eat and make it sustainable in the long run. I have started this 6 weeks ago and lost almost 2 kg, which isn't a massive amount but gives me some hope.

I use the calorie thing on my Fitbit as a guide. Each night when I go to bed, I log how many calories I burnt that day. If I’m trying to lose weight, I aim for at least 300 cals lower than yesterday’s burn. If I’m maintaining weight, I aim to eat roughly the same number of calories I ate yesterday.

Yes but it is the only way some can keep weight off. I did my BMR test and know what I need for body function to work, it is 1300,so over this figure the weight goes on. You can factor in daily exercise but it is barely 100 calories if I am being honest. It is fine if just eating at home and WFH, but holidays and eating out can blow your routine up.

That sounds like a nice realistic sustainable rate of drop, over half a pound per week!

I don’t know how old you are, but I think it changes over time.

Before age 40, I lost weight fairly easily if I wanted to, and didn’t seem to gain that easily either, didn’t need to spend too much time thinking about it.

On the other side of 40 though and something changed! That is when I realised I don’t lose if I don’t drop my calories right down. Peri-menopause has something to do with this I think 😓

It is meant to be due to the drop in muscle mass as your age as muscle is metabolically active and burns calories. After 30 you loose muscle unless you actively work to strengthen it and this loss accelerates with the loss of hormones in the menopause.

I have been building my muscle mass over the past 8 months through a strength training programme and the number of calories I can eat without gaining weight has increased from around 1400 to around 1800.

This sounds brilliant @Itisnearlyspring ! Maybe I will look into it,