If you are one of the millions that are struggling to lose weight and reduce body fat, this is not only the most important question...It is the only question you need to consider.
Losing weight by counting calories should not be considered a numbers game so much as a ratio of numbers game.
Health professionals agree that, to lose one pound of body fat, you must burn about 3500 calories. But, that's actually only one-half of the equation, and is only valid if your calorie consumption is zero.
It would be much more accurate to say that, to lose one pound of fat, you must burn 3500 more calories than you consume.
So...how many calories a day to lose weight?
Well, to lose one pound per week (for instance), you must burn 3500 more calories during that week than you consume. It's really just as simple as that (assuming, of course, that your weight gain is not due to a medical condition!).
Easy to say...hard to do, right?
Not really! You don't have to starve yourself to lower your calorie consumption. Just take smaller portions of the foods you currently enjoy. A smaller piece of meatloaf, perhaps. Or, maybe a slimmer piece of cake. Eat more veggies (lower in calories, higher vitamin content) and less fried food (more calories). You don't have to be drastic, just more thoughtful. Simple changes can have a dramatic effect of your weight.
As for burning the calories already stored in your body, again, you don't have to hurt yourself. It's not necessary to run a mile a day or join a neighborhood gym. Just take the stairs instead of the elevator, or park further from the door when going shopping or to work. If you're going somewhere in your own neighborhood, leave the car in the garage and walk. Simple things!
How many calories a day to lose weight is totally dependent on each individual. If your activities are enough to burn xxxx calories each day, then consuming anything less and xxxx calories each day will cause you to lose weight.
Simple Things!

A more detailed discussion on the trials and tribulations of trying to lose weight can be found in an article titled Effective Weight Loss that I wrote for the RemedyScribe.com website.

It looks at some of the things that I learned during my quest to lose weight, and relates the steps that I took that finally brought success (no diets involved!).