My plan.. opinions please.

My advice would be to eat 1600-1700 a day and eat back your exercise calories - 1lb a week loss.
Why?
More likely to lose a higher proportion of fat to LBM than by going for a fast loss.
More likely to learn healthy eating habits.
Less like being "on a diet" and more like "changing your diet".
Less likely to get fed up with feeling restricted and give up.
More wiggle room for good days and bad days.
More energy for exercise.
More sustainable in the long run.

I second this!

I third it.
I am relatively new and I have 100 pounds to lose. I let MFP set my calorie limit to lose 1.5pounds per week because I have so much extra weight. I eat back all my exercise calories. I have lost weight steadily - 3 pounds the last two weeks - and am definitely creating new eating patterns that will be fine after the weight is off. I don't ever feel hungry and I occasionally overeat which has had no impact on my steady weight loss. Rather than over think and over structure this, just follow the plan and go on with your life

Sounds like a really good plan. Go out there and do it .

So many people give up their diet and exercise goals after a week or so... dunno why everyone is so worried about you getting enough calories. You'll be fine and then if you see your results are not as anticipated you will change it accordingly.

So your underestimating your activity level, undereating, and understand its not a race. You will lose weight doing your plan, you will probably increase BF% cause it will be some muscle even with strength training, and more than likely will end in a plateau.

Just my opinion.

I agree with this (as does most recent science).

Eat more than your BMR every day or you will eventually cause damage to your body's ability to function properly - and loss of lean body mass (from eating too little) will slow your metabolism.

I know waiting for the weight to come off is tough - but you have to look at the big picture

Can you point us to this science? If she eats her BMR she will only lose 1/2 pound per week. Your body will get the energy it needs to maintain your TDEE from fat.

I'd be interested in seeing some scientific evidence that eating below your BMR is damaging. It's something that's said a lot on here but I've never seen anyone provide the scientific backing to go with it

So your underestimating your activity level, undereating, and understand its not a race. You will lose weight doing your plan, you will probably increase BF% cause it will be some muscle even with strength training, and more than likely will end in a plateau.

Just my opinion.

I agree with this (as does most recent science).

Eat more than your BMR every day or you will eventually cause damage to your body's ability to function properly - and loss of lean body mass (from eating too little) will slow your metabolism.

I know waiting for the weight to come off is tough - but you have to look at the big picture

Can you point us to this science? If she eats her BMR she will only lose 1/2 pound per week. Your body will get the energy it needs to maintain your TDEE from fat.

I'd be interested in seeing some scientific evidence that eating below your BMR is damaging. It's something that's said a lot on here but I've never seen anyone provide the scientific backing to go with it

Ditto the request for information about how eating below BMR will damage you. I can and have posted at least a half a dozen studies that show that even on a VLCD with appropriate protein and strength training, LBM can be maintained and after a 16 wk study, women on a VLCD still had the same BMR as when the study was started. Of course, a VLCD should only be done under the supervision of and upon the recommendation of a knowledgeable doctor and I'm not advocating it by any means (nor is 1200 calories by any means a VLCD).

have you talked to your dr and gotten your thyroid checked? I dont see how anyone can gain that much weight in that short of time without being pregnant or having an underlying medical condition
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Yes this. Definately see a Dr.