Calorie Needs for Weight Loss: A Personalized Guide

Question
Hi, i am almost 19 and i need to lose some weight.  I am about 6'0 but i way are 255lbs.  I plan on cutting my calories and working my butt of in the gym.  My question is, how many calories would be a good number to lose wieght for me ?

Answer
Dear Mark, I would have you start at 1800 calories per day (all healthy foods of course). If you are working your butt off, lifting weights, and doing cardio for at least 45 minutes per day, you should lose 2-3 pounds per week while maintaining your muscle mass. If you eat too little, your body will be forced to burn muscle tissue along with the fat which will then lower your resting metabolism. When you get to the gym seek out a personal trainer for a free evaluation. A lot of trainers will help you out if they are not busy. Hope that helps, Laura Kraemer,Slimkids.com