Without that exercise, even with eating the same and lifting weights, I gained 25lbs in just a couple of months. I was finally able to put a new bike on layaway (thank God for Kmart!!! LOL) and I’ll be bringing it home in another week. This one should be a lot easier for me to use, so I’m really looking forward to it.

I’m far from an expert, but I think the calculator is geared toward 20+ people for a few reasons. One is that because people generally aren’t fully developed until then. Another is that the younger you are, the more calories you burn naturally. That’s why as you get older, it may be necessary to cut back on your daily caloric intake even though you’ve never had a “problem” with weight. Also, because the body (generally) doesn’t fully develop until at least 20, it isn’t safe for younger people to reduce caloric intake without very close doctor supervision.

The plus side to all of this is that you’re young enough to see great health benefits from “watching what you eat/drink” vs. having to actually get into a regimen of exercise and caloric reduction.

Now, watching what you eat is a different matter. It’s a good idea to minimize fatty, highly sugared and unhealty foods at any age. And it’s always a good idea to eat fruits and vegetables and make sure you get enough proteins.

Of course, appropriate amounts of exercise and rest is always a plus… no matter how young or old you are. And drinking more water instead of sugary drinks and even diet sodas is much better for everyone. If you want to do anything “more” than just watching what you eat, exercising, resting and drinking the right things, you really need to see a doctor, who may refer you to a nutritionist.

Just my two cents.

No worries, I understand completely where you are coming from. Anger and frustration are two feelings I have also felt as well. I still encourage you *strongly* to continue to educate yourself. The “cut calories” method will work for only so long. You said yourself that you are plateauing. The method that you are currently using for weight loss is very, very unhealthy for your body and is not sustainable for the long term. But there are many people who have been in your shoes that have been able to raise their calories and although they may have gained a small amount of weight in the beginning, if they followed the steps correctly, the weight then began to come off at lightning speed, WHILE eating more calories. There is hope, you just have to be willing to change your mindset a bit, and trust the people who have traveled the road before you. All the best and please do keep in touch.