Is my calorie target too high?

Firstly to assure you that the formulas and maths used to generate your calorie target are set to result in weight loss at the rate you selected.

We take your personal details, so your age, weight, height, gender and activity levels and use a recognised formula to calculate how many calories your body needs to perform basic functions each day – your BMR. We then multiply this by a physical activity scaling factor to account for daily movements, to give your overall daily maintenance calories – so how many calories you would need to stay the same weight you are now. Your selected rate of weight loss is then taken into account to provide you with your daily calorie allowance – to lose 1lb per week, you'd need to create a calorie deficit of 500 calories per day and to lose 2lbs per week you need to create a deficit of 1,000 calories per day.

In the case of a tall overweight male for example, the starting point for our calculation is the individual's current maintenance calorie requirement, will be quite high. But the required deficit for weight loss will have been factored into the targets that are set.

Dr Campbell's view is that if an individual has been used to a high calorie intake, the gradual step reduction that our system uses is realistic. The key to success is sticking with the plan long term, and for many individuals, setting a lower target straight off would be quite drastic and increase their chances of failure.

If you are genuinely feeling satisfied on less calories than your allowance and are getting a balanced diet, there is certainly no need to eat for the sake of eating (just don't go below 1,200 calories a day). Learn to 'listen' to your body – if you need to eat up to your limit then do so, if you are not hungry, then stop.