Calorie consumption confusion

selfmom5

There is so much info out there that I am confused about how many calories I need to take in daily. My dr. Had okayed me to lose 3-5lbs a week for the first 2 weeks and then taper off to 1-2lbs after that. I need to lose at least 25lbs. I started off cutting my calories back to 1200-1300 cals a day and would exercise about 1-2 times a week. I did this for several weeks and lost nothing.
In the past I have had to work out HARD and I mean intense to lose weight so I am going to start again.
If I am burning for example 800 calories a day, how many calories do I need to take in?
Do I only consume 1200 cals a day AND burn 800 a day or do I consume 2000 cals a day AND burn 800 cals a day?
I am aiming to lose 3lbs a week for the next 2 weeks to start then taper to 1-1.5 lbs a week.

bajoyba

It's simplest just to plug all of your info and weight loss goals into MFP and let it work out the math for you. If you only want to lose 25 pounds, 2 pounds a week might be too aggressive. Whatever you choose, try to eat as close to your calorie goal as possible AND eat back your exercise calories.

yarwell

Sort the diet out, don't rely on exercise. If you can't lose weight without exercise you haven't got that bit right.

Wise men tell me this.
http://www.drbriffa.com/2013/06/20/how-our-beliefs-about-what-controls-our-weight-may-actually-affect-our-weight/