Doing the math to proper calorie consumption

[CWms]

I weigh 165 lbs. and want to lose 20 lbs. My BMR is 1400 and active daily calories about 600. My TDEE is therefore 2000. I would like to lose 2 lbs per week but that would mean consuming 1000 calories which is less than my BMR. I do not want to go into starvation mode or lose muscle. Is it safe for me to eat 1000 per day or do I need to at least consume 1400 calories?

[A_Lurker · Accepted solution]

Dropping 2 pounds a week isn't as easy when you only have a small amount of weight to lose.  Why not aim for 1 pound a week and eat 1500 calories each day.  The other option is to work out your requirement for your goal weight and eat that amount.  This way you'll come (likely more) slowly to that new weight and not need to worry about regaining the weight when you stop dieting.