I try to stay under 1200 calories per day. If I go over that I gain weight. I also have to make sure those 1200 calories are "real" food and not "junk" food. If I eat anything that's bad for me I gain weight. It's nothing like when I was younger. If I eat the amount of calories (1340) that are recommended for me I gain weight. If I stick to "real" food under 1200 calories I can lose 2 pounds a week. I walk 2 miles a day with my dogs and try to get an hour of cardio in per day.