Minimum calories for proper weight loss

[NittanyEngineer]

I have a question about the minimum calories I need to lose weight. I am 5'3/221 with moderate exercise (3-5 days of walking, elliptical trainer, Pilates).
I calculated that to maintin my current weight based on my activity level and height I should consume 2600 calories. So to lose weight I need to subtract/burn 500 calories (or combination of lower calories and exercise) so that would be 2100 calories a day.
Should I really eat 2100 calories (or a combination of less and exercise)? I am currently eating 1400 calories plus moderate exercise. That would be a loss of 700 calories plus whatever I burn with exercise. Is that too much, should I really go up to 2100 calories.
I just want to make sure I am doing it correctly, I don't want all of my sacrafices be for nothing because I am cutting too much. I want a reasonable weight loss not a rapid one (I do but I want to do it right), 2100 just seems way too much even though according to all my calculations this is correct.
Thanks for your help.

[live4fitness]

if you have been eating that vlow of calories for a while then slowly increase. You don't want to go that low. later when you have to refigure calorie intake due to your weight loss you will eat less or exersise more. Decrease 500-750 calories and what ever you work out is a pluse!!! Good luck

[Aruba417]

Yeah, you want to stay between 1800 and 2100 calories...I wouldn't eat anything less than 1800 calories if I were you. First of all, you don't want your body to go into starvation mode...second of all, with the exercise you'll need those calories to keep your energy. Good luck!

[Knud]

And eat ORGANIC!  The chemical additives (not listed in the ingredients) and hormones and pesticides in the food at your local market will keep you fat, no matter what your caloric intake is.

[Shera1986]

Hi i want to lose weight. I am 5'2/160lbs. I am on a no meat no dairy no sweetdrink diet for the past 4 months and instead of losing weight i seen to be gaining weight. I exercise moderately. Can you please advise because i am getting very demotivated

[lilcindarella]

I AM HAVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM I NOTICE WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT SETTING YOUR BODY INTO STARVATION MODE, AND WELL FOR STARTERS I HAVE BEEN KEEPING REC OF MY CAL. INTAKE FOR ABOUT TWO WEEK NOW SO THAT I COULD CUT BACK(SO I THOUGHT), I ATE EVERYTHING I NORMALLY  WOULD EAT EVEN ON MY SO CALLED DIET DAYS AND WELL DECIDED TO NOT ADD UP RIGHT THEN SO THAT I WOULDN'T CHEAT AND REALLY EAT WHAT I WOULD EAT...SO WHEN I ADDED IT UP MY REG. CAL INTAKE IS BEARLY A AVE OF1600 OR SO CAL. AND THATS ON DAYS WHEN I THOUGHT I WAS PIGGING OUT AND ON DAYS WHERE I WATCH WHAT I ATE, I WAS ABOUT 800-930 CALS. A DAY SO IS MY PROBLEM THAT MY  BODY IS STUCK IN STARVATION MODE AND HOLDING ON TO EVERYTHING I EAT CAUSE IM SURE NOT SKINNY AND ONLY SEEM TO DROP WEIGHT WHEN I WORK OUT FOR LIKE 2HR AT LEAST 4-5 DAYS A WEEK..WHICH IS HARD TO KEEP UP WITH CAUSE I TEND TO BURN OUT, AND FEEL LIKE A COLD EAT A COW BOUT THE 8-9 DAY WORKING OUT, SO WHAT DO I DO?

[SickOFbeingFAT]

I did the 500-under 900 calories for 28 days and lost 15lbs. steadily.
THEN I went to 1100-under 1400 and GAINED almost 3 lbs. right off the bat.  Not sure if that is just more of the same good food only more of it that caused the scales to show a gain.  I was and still an devistated.
I feel very good eating around 700 calories to tell you the truth, but now I think I am stuck.  I have given up baked goods, sweets all together, frieds foods, potatoes period, white breads (all breads so far though), etc.  I am almost 58 and NEED to lose at least 28 more lbs. yet.  I have not tried for over 4 yrs. to get back on the eating right wagon.  I am not an exerciser either.  I HATE it, and only like to walk for now.  
Bottom line for me, Aruba417,  I too can't understand that I have to EAT up to 1400?? calories or more to lose weight.  That blows my mind.  Oh,  I did the Colonix clean and it works, but most people lose weight from taking it I am told but not me...........It figures.
I am not hungry so I end of with eating low calories per day so why would that be called starving?  I am just READY to lose weight and I can't help that I am happy at 700 per day.  It is envigorating!!!!

Good luck to you..............and pray for me to "get it" to make it a lifestyle of change not a short term race.