Calorie budget

Hi there. I'm a returning member who is getting back on track after going off the rails.  I have gained about 35 pounds and I'm trying to get it off.  I am watching my diet and focusing on protein first.  Back to basics.  I also bought a "fitbit" and I'm walking for exercise daily! 

My question is...how many calories is everyone eating to lose weight?  I am so confused.  My app says approx 1200 ("Lose it").  My gut tells me 1000.  My husband thinks I'm going "too low" and going into "starvation mode".  Is it possible to go too low?  Am I crazy to want to be at 1000?  Any input is appreciated! Thanks!

You can't go too low, and starvation mode is a bunch of malarkey. You're carrying around all the extra calories you need, so you don't have to eat more. What you DO need is protein, since you don't have reserves of that, and vitamins.

A lot of people won't see the scale move at 1200. The number most often seen for those serious about losing what you'd like to is 800 calories.

It's great you are back on the wagon. Good luck.

If you eat less calories than you burn your body will start using stored fat and you will lose weight. 

When you keep your Carbs between 18 and 22 per day you will go into ketosis.  Ketosis is ultra fat-burning mode and it would not be unusual to drop 10 or more pounds in the first week.

You can buy Ketosticks at a drugstore.  when your urine turns them purple you know you are burning fat.

If you are looking for some friendly competition w/ your Fitbit, let me know...I heard competing helps to get as many steps in as possible..