2,400 for a man, 1,800 for a woman – This is the number of calories, on average, that a person will burn every day. It will vary by age, activity level, size, and other factors, so look for an online calculator for an exact number (try the Mayo Clinic https://www. mayoclinic.com/health/calorie-calculator/NU00598).
The bottom line is that if you eat 500 calories per day less than your body burns, you will lose a pound per week. If you get enough protein every day so your body doesn’t break down muscle, that weight loss will be body fat. That’s a good place to start your weight loss plan. The rest of the story is keeping the weight off by changing your habits of overeating and lack of exercise once you achieve your goal. In the long run, that’s more important than your short-term diet.