An easier way to setup goal calories - eating for who you wi

I'm 38
5'3"
I sleep about 8 hrs a day
My job requires me to stand 8-12 hrs, 5 days a week..........lifting about 15 lbs about 3 hrs out of the day
I work out at least 30 min a day on my elliptical..........sometimes I'll do 45-1 hr, depending on how I feel
Currently I'm 131 lbs
GW 118 lbs

I figured out my BMR from that website using 118....I got
1281 BMR( calories)
1481 Activity(calories)
2762 Total calories

You'll want to use the spreadsheet too, you got easy stuff to put in, once you divide it up. Much easier for the math.
Few posts above gives Excel and Google links to them.

So that sounds high to me. With incomplete info I'm getting below 2000 slightly.
So suggestions on placing that daily routine.
Rest includes bump-on-a-log TV or reading, if you do some regularly.
The 3hrs x 5 days with more effort than standing goes under Light. The standing part will fall under Very Light in the spreadsheet automatically.
If it appears the elliptical really is equally between 30min, and 45-60, use 0.75 x however many days it is.
If it is always at least 3 days at 30 min, then 0.5 x 3, and 3 other days gets to be 45-60 usually, then 0.87 x 3 days.
You'll also need to include shopping, cleaning, other activities. Use the descriptions to nail normal stuff you do every week that has a set time to it. Spreadsheet has some tips above the calculator section.

And if you really do the elliptical every day, you need a rest day.
Exercise is for improving your body, and that can only happen if it gets a chance to recover and rebuild stronger. Otherwise your workouts actually aren't at a level to be as useful as they could be.
You could do some interval type workout 1 day, and make the next day a rest day for recovery and getting stronger.

With this kind of daily routine, you'll probably find, especially if you have been underfeeding for awhile, that your body is finally getting a chance to recover and will be storing energy, making muscles stronger, ect. All things associated with no weight loss for awhile.

Since your current eating level is pretty low for your current BMR, you'll need to raise the level slowly.
Add 200 a day for a week, like a snack associated with your workout.
Next week, another 200, like increase 2 meals by 100 each. Almonds, avocado, peanut butter, just need energy for your body to raise metabolism.

Another suggestion since you have a very active daily life that will be great at making your deficit.
When you reach the level of eating that about matches your current BMR, don't do any elliptical that week. Take that time and go out for gentle walk under 3mph.
Your system needs a reset and see that the food it's getting will allow it to raise metabolism, and your daily workouts are pushing that lower, making the effect worse actually.

That spreadsheet will also estimate potential weekly weight loss once you get that daily stuff entered in for other things.

After doing the spreadsheet I'm at 2170 calories a day.

Now that sounds realistic!

Even if it sounds scary to you at the same time.

Remember, no exercise eat back, it's already in there.

Should I include that tidbit in the spreadsheet in section regarding MFP settings to change?
Since you just used it, curious about improvements.

Bump interesting read. I have been eating close to 2000 calories, but this method suggests I eat close to 2200 calories. I'm nervous to increase my calories beyond 2000, but I'll give anything a try to break through this darn plateau!

Please use the spreadsheet, just to confirm those number dealing with activity.
If you used the website calculator, all too easy to go fast and inflate times at levels for true daily avg.

Half way down this post is spreadsheet links.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/477666-eating-for-future-you-method