Starting out - need encouragement (or a kick in the ...?)

First off, welcome to MFP!

Honestly, I would start off at 2,000 calories per day if you are used to eating 2500 and after a couple weeks, maybe a month, of eating that much then ween yourself down to 1600.

OR

Do 1600 calories but do some exercises that earn you calories back so that it roughly equals to you eating 2000 calories and then start lowering your calorie intake if you want to lose more than .5 pounds per week.

Either of these options I would do, and personally I am attempting option number two for myself but with different circumstances and calorie intake of course

Another good rule of thumb: eat lots of fruit and vegetables. They fill you up without all the empty calories that some foods have, as well as drink water instead of sugary drinks and such. Water has no calories and helps flush out your system of toxins and such. Drinking sodas for instance adds empty calories to your diet as well sugar and other stuff (if you don't just look at calories).

Hope this helps, and if you want add me as a friend

-- Princess Payton

Hi! It's ok to "eat up" to lose weight ... This link helped me - it might give you some comfort too:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/521728-upping-cals-what-to-expect-why-you-need-patience

and some free information at http://thesmarterscienceofslim.com/ has helped me out

Do you know what your current TDEE is? You can recalculate your daily calories after each 5lb drop ... so it's only a slight decrease each time. I suggest don't eat below your BMR - see information at http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

Best of luck!

Hi Leamiri,
It's a great choice to be starting your weight loss journey today, rather than waiting for the new year. A lot of damage can be done in the holiday weeks when people have the mindset to start "January 1st." I know that my gym is crazy busy for the first 3 or so weeks and then it gets back to normal.
I know that 1600 calories seem low when you are used to eating a lot more, but one of the things about MFP is that you are encouraged to eat back the calories that you burn through exercise. The target number of calories you have been suggested to eat is low enough to promote weight loss at about half a pound a week. When you eat back the calories burned, you remain at a deficit and although slow, the weight will eventually drop off. The key is patience and persistence.
I have found that I can eat a lot of food for my 1200 calories or I can use it all up in one meal. It all has to do with your food choices. I've been on MFP since the end of August and, it's funny really, I seem to have lost my desire for crappy food. The problem is though, when I do eat it, I want more of it. So I am finding out that the best thing for me is to avoid the poor choices and not have any. Much easier said than done, I know, and I slide off the wagon every now and again. It's OK as long as I get right back on it. My weight loss isn't dramatic- just 13 pounds so far, but you will read that many others have lost much, much more. The support really helps and you will develop a little group of online friends who will encourage you and who you will cheer on as well. Feel free to add me.
Food wise, try to focus on whole foods that you prepare at home. Look at the food diarys of others. It will give you some great ideas. Exercise wise, well, we all know that it's extra hard when you have two little ones, especially in the winter. There are some excellent exercise videos out there though and some aren't that long.
Be encouraged. This is something you can do. You're not old enough to blame it on age although it would be nice to have something to blame it on. Hey, maybe it has everything to do with having just had two babies?! Try to log in every day. It really seems to help with the motivation. Hope this is what you needed to hear.
Wendalyse

anyone is more then welcome to add me