Not Losing Weight - MFP calorie counter correct?

Hi, for what it's worth, I started here May 2012. I started out with 1200 calories on doctor's recommendation. I was pre diabetic, and I already deal with heart failure. So the last thing I needed was diabetes. My cardiologist told me to start at 1200 calories and walk 30 minutes per day. Which is exactly what I did, some days I didn't get my walk in but I tried really hard to do it most days. Losing was slow....... I'm 54 and post menopausal so losing isn't near as fast or easy as it had been in the past for me. In August I signed up for cross-fit training twice per week with a friend, and walked or got on the elliptical for 20 minutes on other days. It paid off by December 2012 I had lost 35 lbs. and 25+ inches! I have since received a Heart Rate Monitor (Christmas gift) and reached maintenance. I raised my calories to 1530 per day. I've successfully maintained the weight loss and I am in the best shape physically since I was diagnosed with the heart issue in 1999 and gave up running and lifting. I tried the EMTWL (eat more to weigh less) way of life it just didn't work for me, though lots of people have had success with that way of life. I would highly recommend a heart rate monitor as the calorie burn on most equipment and what is in the data base on MFP are guesses at best. The HRM is based on your height and weight, age. The cross-fit training ended in January (really pricey) and I was on my own using the elliptical and weights. In February I started Pure Barre classes. Love it! I wore my HRM and I consistently burn between 413- 465 calories per 55 minute workout. It's much easier on the heart than cross-fit. Weight loss is a very personal journey and everyone is different, what works for me isn't going to work for everyone and tips that work for others don't work for me. You have to be patient, and tweak your program. When eating 1200-1500 calories, you really have to make sure they count. Chicken, fish, eggs, nuts, avocados, olive oil, green vegetables, fresh fruit, whole grains, low fat dairy and lots of water. You can run out of food and fuel very quickly eating more processed foods. Stick with it and keep trying different ideas, you will find what works for you.

Well there definity is a lot of information out there about nutrition and training. It is very overwhelming. I think my plan of attack will be to purchase a HRM that has a calorie counter built into the watch. I found a Polar HRM w/ those features. I do not want a HRM with all the bells and whistles - just HRM and calorie count.

Then, I am going to set my calorie counter on MFP manually to 1600 calories.

I just started in the past month and have been so desperate to lose. I think the culprit was eating back calories and inaccurate calorie counts with exercising. I think MFP and even the machines at the gym overestimate how many calories are really burned. I do use the Precor ellipticals with the HRM on the handles - however, I still think it may estimate too high (even though I do put my age and weight into the machine).

If my approach does not work, then I may try the Scooby approach. I guess you just have to keep trying until something works.