Where do I go to find out if I'm doing it right?

I'm sure someone will come along with a link to the more popular calculators. The thing you should realize is that they are all just estimates, and you will likely have to tweak the amount of cals up or down.

The best way is to experiment and adjust and find what works for you. If you're losing well on 1500 calories, for example, and not feeling overly deprived or hungry all the time, stick with it. But if you aren't losing you may need to adjust up or down. And if you are always hungry (really hungry, not eating out of boredom or compulsive eating …. those are my issues! lol) you probably need more calories.

The best way is to experiment and adjust and find what works for you. If you're losing well on 1500 calories, for example, and not feeling overly deprived or hungry all the time, stick with it. But if you aren't losing you may need to adjust up or down. And if you are always hungry (really hungry, not eating out of boredom or compulsive eating …. those are my issues! lol) you probably need more calories.

Yep ^THIS^

The scale

...is a liar

You can find more info here

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/717858-spreadsheet-bmr-tdee-and-deficit-calcs-macros-hrm
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/3817-eat-more-to-weigh-less

Good luck and welcome.

^^These. All are great! Good luck!

The scale

...is a liar

I agree. That stupid square thing is telling me im overweight, i dont believe it for a minute!

Mr. Tape Measure, on the other hand, is much more obliging. :happy:

Mr Tape Measure is a complete a-hole to me. Haven't lost a single inch - the scale makes me much happier.