This will have been calculated based on the information you input - in particular what you entered for your current work and leisure exercise levels will have a bearing on this. So it is worth checking the definitions of the activity levels by clicking on the little 'i' icon to ensure you have selected correctly.

I'm not sure if you are aware of the maths behind weight loss, but it is reassuring to understand the balance needed to lose weight. To lose 1lb a week you need to create a calorie deficit of between 500 - 600 calories a day which is best achieved through a combination of eating less and increasing your activity level. This is why you are also set a target for the number of calories to try and burn each day.

You may well know that the reason exercise is so important is because it doesn't just burn extra calories while you are doing it, but it actually changes your body's composition over time (Kelly will tell you more about this!). As you start to lose the fat and gain more muscle, your metabolism - even at rest - will start to burn more calories as muscle is an active tissue and will burn calories just by being there - as opposed to fat which doesn't. For maximum benefit, your 200 calorie a day target should ideally be activity over and above what you would usually do.

But the bottom line is that if you achieve the 500 - 600 daily calorie reduction compared to what you were eating before, weight loss will happen! When our system set your calorie target, this calculation will have been taken into consideration.

If you are feeling completely satisfied eating less than your allowance, then don't feel like you must eat for the sake of eating. Anything above 1,400 calories a day and your target figure is fine - if anything it will speed up the weight loss, which can't be a bad thing! However do remember that the key to success is sustaining your diet. A lower calorie target may initiate a quick weight drop initially, but the question is how long can you sustain it for? So don't feel constrained to eating less than has been set for you as you will still be able to lose weight.

Finally a note on the fat figure - treat this as a maximum limit. You don't need to eat all of this, if you less that's fine, but try not to go below half.