wildernessny's Journal, 28 July 2019

Actually how much you should eat is based on your resting metabolic rate. Find a calculator for that on line. It is based on gender, age and present weight. Whatever your resting caloric needs are subtract 500 calories to lose a pound a week. I don't know if there is a minimum you shouldn't go under. That answer is likely online as well. I weigh 212 pounds and my calorie intake is 1300 so at a 120 pounds yours would be lower.  

By the by you should never feel starved. If you do, you are likely being over restrictive and may convince your body that you are in fact starving and therefore your body will hold onto as much fat as it can to ride out the famine! 

If you are starving you are not dieting right 

Wow 3500 is sooooo much no most women cannot eat that much don’t listen to karl 

But 1300 does seem like a severe calorie deficit 

I’m 120lbs n I maintain my weight eating 2000-2200 calories a day  

karlborroughs, not sure where you got 3500 calories, I gotta tell you, your source is wrong. Women's recommended minimum is 1200; and 1200 to 1400 is a more realistic range than 3500. The error is likely in activity calculations - unless a woman is running or moving heavy stuff every minute of the day, we use "sedentary" in the calculators. 

Agreed, Carol, we should never feel deprived or starved! I changed to the keto WOE 18 months ago, and even with calorie restriction, I am never so hungry that I would say I'm starving. 

There are many conflicting opinions going on here. Wilderness, since Rosio is about the same size as you, I would suggest you follow her advice. Why don't you private message her? If you cut back too much, your body will go into starvation mode and you will have difficulty losing weight. You should not have to starve yourself to lose weight. Good luck on your journey. 

It think 1300 is about where my TDEE is.  

I don't think you have to starve yourself to lose weight. Eat protein...it will keep you full longer and the crazy cravings will go away.  

1300 is just fine, it depends on the person of course I do ledd than that daily and after exercise at work I am usually calorie deficient 

1300 is not too low for anyone. It depends on what’s IN that 1300 and also activity levels. I’m disabled, for example, so my activity is very sedentary. For me to lose weight, I have to stay around 1100 (dr verified), but I have to make sure it’s not just a bunch of random calories. It has to be a balance of protein, fats and carbs. Right now I’m on the journey to lose this 40 lbs and I can’t go over 1100. What I’m finding though is that I’m struggling to even get to 1100 because the foods I’m eating are more filling and take longer to burn (protein, veggies, etc). Do what works for YOU but if you’re hungry, something is off. 

Starvation was an over exaggeration. I eat a very balanced diet. I have been cooking for a severe diabetic for about 40 years so know the food breakdown very well. I do know that 1300 is a little more than I can have from experience. I know about the body storing fat if it is being starved. I am more active than most 50 year old women and am 74. Everyone's metabolism is different. As they say one size doesn't fit all. I am the odd one. However, thanks for your concern. 

I think maybe some younger ones not quite tuned into how much metabolism can change with years.