How many calories?

jamiek917

First off, hello to everyone! this is my first post, so thanks in advance to anyone who reads and responds!

So im 5'6, 173, give or take a lb, depending on the day. For years i bounced back and forth between 170-185 depending on my diet. i have always been active in the gym, but the past yr or so ive turned up the heat a lot- ive competed in races and triathlons, and im training for longer ones (my 2nd 1/2 marathon is in 3 1/2 weeks, and the international distance tri is in June! im excited!)

my question is about calories, because i hear something different from everyone. my dietician says my range should be 1300-1700, but that when im hitting the gym hard like i have been 5-6x a week (which is now the norm), the 1600s are great for me- which is where i am most days. the trainers at my gym claim i should be eating over 2000 a day to lose weight- it sounds like its too much! when i did weight watchers in the past, i lost weight, but was taking in 1400 or so a day (and not lifting as much or running as hard- so i know i need more now). my weight loss has been slow- too slow- barely 1 lb a week on average. one cheat meal somehow sets me back 2 lbs, and then i work all week to lose it again. im eating good healthy foods- and processed foods are much more infrequent now.

i want to speed up the loss to closer to 2 lbs a week- so its still healthy, but i can stay as motivated. im lucky to love the gym, but i want the food-part to be less of a struggle and a mind-consuming thing.

thoughts on my calorie intake?