Calories, Calories, Calories

I know you don't want to talk about that dirty little word....CALORIES. But it's important to not only know what you're putting into your body, but just how much you're putting into your body. Did you know you can overdo the good stuff, too?  Now I am not saying you have to count your calories for your entire life, but it will make a HUGE difference if you count them on occassion, even if just for a week, or whenever you need to get your eating habits back on track.
How do I this, you ask? First there are tons of wonderful apps you can download on your phone that will quickly add up those pesky little calories for you when you log in your food. Of course if you are more the "stone-age" type, (and no one is judging you for that ;) you can write them down on a piece of paper. And then there's one of my favorite sites www.Calorieking.com that will also add up those calories for you when you log your food in and help you decipher how many calories you should be consuming for maximum weight loss or to maintain your current weight. It's all for the common goal of knowing just how much fuel you are taking in, so you can expend any extra out during your exercise routine. So whether you find yourself falling off the "food wagon" and need to get back on track, or you want to maintain that healthy weight you have worked so hard to get, knowing what you put into your body and how much is KEY!

How many calories should I eat throughout the day for weight loss?

Typical Calorie Consumption at Meal times for a total of 1500 calories a day for weight loss, (add exercise to this regimen and you can lose up to 10lbs. in a month)
Breakfast: about 300 calories
Lunch: about 400 calories
Dinner: about 500 calories
Snacks: about 150 calories each, 2 times a day

USDA Caloric Estimates

Most Americans consume close to their recommended daily caloric requirements. According to the USDA, moderately active men between the ages of 19 and 30 require about 2,600 to 2,800 calories a day. Moderately active women between the ages of 19 and 30 require about 2,000 to 2,200 calories each day. Active men and women generally require about 200 more calories each day, while sedentary men and women require 200 fewer

Individual Caloric Needs

The USDA guidelines are very general and don't take size into account. Although the USDA can give you a rough estimate of how many calories you should eat, the University of Maryland has a more individualized suggestion. To maintain your current body weight, multiply your weight, in lbs., by 12 calories if you're sedentary and 14 if your active. For example, a 24-year-old woman who is 5 feet 2 inches and weighs 110 lbs. would only need between 1,320 and 1,540 calories to maintain her current weight--far less than the USDA recommended 2,000 to 2,400 calorie range. Very athletic people may need more than 14 calories per lb.