@UpDownAround: I think 1000 will be a good target. It is not that extreme, and as you said, it is more important what the calorie intake averages out to be over several days.

I weigh 172 pounds today. I am still tryng to decide if I will exercise. Maybe I will not walk at all, but instead go to a fitness club where I can start working on my roll of fat above my belt. However, I may have lost my free fitness club membership since I have not been there for a couple years.