close to giving up

s_arahmariee

i need to lose 40/50 lbs this year because next year will be full of important exams and i dont want to be stressed and upset about my weight whilst i'm meant to be studying.
I think my calorie intake that MFP has recommended is too high for me? as i'm always left with over 500 calories even when i don't exercise, so then it's as though i put my body into starvation mode and then i'll burn the least calories which is what i dont want!
its been 3 months since i began 'eating clean' alongside loads of cardio but i've only lost 7.5 lbs.. it's terrible. Others could lose 20 lbs in 3 months.. i wonder what i'm doing wrong.