So far today I have clocked 582 calories-that's lunch, breakfast, and a few light snacks (not in that order, aha). I consulted a calorie counter and to sustain my current weight I need somewhere in the region of 1600 calories. I was thinking of eating a dinner with a similar calorie count (referring to my other meals) of around 300 calories, which would take my calorie count up to roughly 900. Is this unhealthy? Will I be able to sustain this calorie intake without negative side affects? Several people in my family have developed anorexia and I want to make sure I'm not going down the same path. Thanks.

You want more than 900 calories for a day. That is far too low.
Give your gender, age, height and weight details for us to be able to help you better.

I'm 5ft5 and weigh about 9 and a half stone. I'm 16 and female.

Too low. No one should go under 1200 w/out the guidance of a doctor.

YOu said that you checked and your maintenance calories are 1600 ... to me that says that you're very small - around 100-110 lbs and around 5' tall, probably. You also don't say if you're male or female.

If you're bigger than that, or taller than that, then your figures are probably not accurate. Most women need around 1800+ calories and most men need around 2200+ calories to sustain a healthy weight.

Read the sticky posts on nutrition and calories to get more information

Ah ... we cross posted.

At your height and weight, you need about 1900 calories to maintain that weight. At 16 years old you should absolutely NOT go below 1500 calories - at your age, you need more nutrition than an adult female in order to support growing bones, muscles, and organs.

My suggestion to you would be to eat 1500 calories a day, and add exercise into your program - weight lifting and cardio, in that order.

I don't get the oppurtunity to work out, as I'm currently in a full time job and taking night classes (yes, I screwed up my education).

I have just entered your details into FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal and it says that if you are seated with some movement you will burn 2,113 calories over the course of the day.

I suspect that you have presumed that you would be burning the BMR which you may have calculated.

I agree with Kara - you do not want to be going under 1500 calories for that.
I didnt at the end of a long project where I had had my body in deficit for two years.

Sorry, that won't fly here.

There are lots of people here who work two jobs, raise kids, go to school, etc. and still have time to work out. If something is important to you, you make time for it.

There are lots of things you can do to work out and keep yourself in shape that don't involve committing to time at the gym and so forth.

Dont screw up your weight loss attempt by taking your calories too low.

I suppose the main problem is that a few weeks ago my boyfriend told me I was a little overweight, and I'm horribly insecure anyway...I've gained some weight through going on birth control.

Keep a close eye on your body in case you get any other symptoms from the birth control pill. It can mess up people's hormones. I would be reporting the weight gain to your doctor and flagging up any changes in your skin (e.g. acne) and hair (e.g. appearance of facial or body hair or indeed balding).

I am sorry that your boyfriend is making insensitive remarks. Often male insensitivity is rooted in a lack of maturity.

Your BMI is in the normal range - but it would not hurt to drop a few pounds if you personally feel that it is appropriate. Toning up is actually what you need more though. That takes exercise though.

You do not need to take a slice out of each day to go to a gym though. There are things that you can do at home (while watching tv if you want) which would cost little if anything.

Screwing up an exam might mean that you dont get to do the kind of work that you aspire towards or are delayed in being able to start it. Screwing up your health can make a much bigger difference. You know people who have developed anorexia so you know only too well that you can screw up your health from a low weight as well as a high weight (like I developed).

Eat a sensible level of calories (read the nutrition section), make time for exercise (read the exercise section) and keep an eye on those symptoms that I mentioned earlier. If your body is in good shape and getting good fuel you will actually work and study better too.

I know how to solve this problem.... get a new boyfriend!

No boy needs to be telling a 5'5" 110lbs 16yr old that she is a little over weight. Don't cry over his worthless remarks. pfft.. boys are so rude!!

Her weight is actually 133 pounds.

I actually agree with you regarding the boyfriend though. I would be seriously thinking about whether he deserved you.

well same difference. 133 is not a weight problem unless you're over 18 and 4'2.