Does this sound right?

Wishing you much success.

I agree with what's written above! After you figure out your TDEE, I would suggest logging your normal food consumption for a couple of days first. That way you know where you are starting. Slowly start to reduce calories to get to where you want to be--that way you won't shock your system. You don't want to go too low because you will end up leaving your body so hungry that you won't make the choices you know you should make at meal time! Also, this will let your body adapt to the calorie intake so it doesn't think it is starving and start storing nutrients for "future use"!
MFP is a great tool to use to stay on a steady diet! Good luck!

I am not an expert, but I have recently made the transition from roughly a 2200 calorie diet to 1200 calories a day. Like others will tell you, exercise will earn you more calories. But, if you are making the calorie change without exercise, you will have to feel full to stick with it. Will tell you how I have been losing weight lately, and am sure I am breaking all kinds of diet rules. This is how I started the 1200--I had almost the same breakfast every morning--1/2 c. Egg beaters, 1/2 cup mushrooms, 1/3 bag fresh spinach, 2 slices Swiss cheese--cooked in a pan with nonstick spray. Enjoyed with coffee and a tall glass of water. Sometimes I add a cup of V8. I feel full. For lunch, I alternate days-- one day, 3 cups of favorite salad blend (arugula, spring mix, romaine...whatever) with four slices deli turkey, rolled and cut into strips, veggies like cucumber, roma tomatoes, radishes, etc if on hand. I toss this with a Tablespoon of Girard's light champagne dressing (does not taste light--so delish) or with a splash of balsamic and a teaspoon of olive oil. On other days, I have a turkey sandwich, whole wheat, four slices of turkey, slice of Swiss, tiny bit of mayo, a little mustard, tomato, lettuce. For dinner, I just watch portions--veggies, protein, a small slice of bread with a teaspoon of olive oil for dipping if I didn't eat a sandwich earlier and water. I have a snack or two every day as needed--I listen to my body. My snack is usually a Chobani Greek yogurt (coconut is always my choice), a half sandwich or some mozzarella cheese. I also let myself sneak a bite or two of something every single day and I don't list it. I will have a bite or two of chocolate cake if really want to. I will eat a small serving of something a little off the charts if it is really something I want. I just opt for salad or a clear broth soup later. Balance. Also, I haven't given up my small daily mocha. It is a luxury. It is better to listen to your body than to push it into starvation mode. If I need to break the 1200 calories to feel healthy, I really don't worry about adding an additional one or two hundred calories. I have no interest in going on a severely restricted diet (ex. no carbs...only meat, etc. that stuff is unhealthy)--I want to lose weight in a healthful, strong way. A couple of months ago, I was a size 10/12. I am wearing 6/8 now, and I don't wear tight clothes.

Hello I am new here. It seems like I always worried about my weight most of my life. I am going to do 3 meals a day, and 1 snack. I will trying to only eat 12,000 a day, and if the weather is permitting walk everyday.