New with a couple questions

Onederchic

I asked this in one of the sticky topics but realized maybe that was the wrong place. I tried to delete it there but seen no option to do so and I apologize for the double post.

Hi everyone. My name is Michelle and I am glad to have stumbled upon this awesome group.
I am like a lot of people and have always believed less calories is best for weight loss but after joining MFP and reading so much information here, I am starting to change my mind. In 2008, I was at my highest weight of 333lbs. By 2010, I had lost 160lbs by cutting calories (was getting about 1500 average) and doing 45-1 hour exercise 4 or 5 days a week. Then I got comfortable and lazy and stopped tracking foods and working and have gained 55lbs in the last year and a half (yikes!). I restarted my weight loss effort 2.5 months ago by eating 1200-1300 calories a day plus working out 1.5-2 hours day and then wondered why I was so tired, grumpy and hungry all the time.

I just have a couple questions if anyone can help -

My workouts to me are not hardcore and I workout 5 days a week. I do a 5 mile DVD (Leslie Sansone) when I wake and then later I will do a DVD that incorporates hand weights and strength moves (ie Jillian Michaels - No More Trouble Zones, etc etc). When I use the calculator to get my BMR and TDEE, should I use the moderate exercise option or...? Also, would I lower my calories on days I do not workout and if yes, should I keep it at BMR?

Sorry for the ramble and the questions, I have been reading, I promise so if I missed something that would answer my questions already, I apologize.

PLUMSGRL

Hello and welcome!
Go by the actual number of hours exercised per week, instead of the descriptor.
If you're doing the reset, then eat at TDEE for 6-8 weeks (6 is the minimum). This is recommended if you've been eating at a VLCD (very low calorie diet) for an extended time.
If you're trying to lose, then eat at TDEE-10 to15% (no more than 15%, or you may stall out very quickly).
It's also recommended to take a "diet break" every 4-6 weeks, eating at TDEE for a week.
Recalculate your BMR and TDEE every time you drop 5 pounds.
Take pictures and measurements every couple of weeks, even when the scale doesn't move the measurements will.

Hope that helps

Onederchic

Hello and welcome!
Go by the actual number of hours exercised per week, instead of the descriptor.
If you're doing the reset, then eat at TDEE for 6-8 weeks (6 is the minimum). This is recommended if you've been eating at a VLCD (very low calorie diet) for an extended time.
If you're trying to lose, then eat at TDEE-10 to15% (no more than 15%, or you may stall out very quickly).
It's also recommended to take a "diet break" every 4-6 weeks, eating at TDEE for a week.
Recalculate your BMR and TDEE every time you drop 5 pounds.
Take pictures and measurements every couple of weeks, even when the scale doesn't move the measurements will.

Hope that helps

Thank you so much for the information