Advice for losing weight (or not gaining) while cycling

[Munch]

So here's my deal.. I'm 5'4, 155lbs, and 22 years old. I've just started cycling I go at least 4 1/2 miles, but am steadily increasing my mileage. My goal is to get to 145 lbs. My basal metabolic rate is 1526 cals, while my calories estimated to maintain my weight is 2332. I got these calculations from a website, but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post a link or the name of the site. Anyways, I chose my activity level as moderate active: 3-5 days a week, though I try to do something every day. I have been eating around 1500 calories a day for a few weeks, though sometimes going way overboard and have not seen any weight loss. Perhaps I haven't been tracking close enough. Is it possible my body is in starvation mode and I should up my calories to around 1800? That would leave me with a 500 cal deficit from the 2332 cals. I'm not going to experiment with the amount of calories until after my wedding (June 9) as I don't want this to backfire and me end up gaining weight and making my dress unecessarily tight! Just wanted to get some opinions.

[Reesha]

My experience is that when I first start cycling after a long winter off the bike or somesuch I actually gain numerical weight because I'm putting on muscle mass. Honestly, I'd track your measurements if you can. I suspect your using Livestrong.com... theres a place to enter those!

[Munch]

At Munch: I maintain 150ish at 1800 calories per day. If you are switching between 1500 and many more, that may explain why you are maintaining. You can post links, but a lot of formulas tend to overestimate the number of calories you need. Perhaps stay at 1500 until you get to the weight you want, and also work on slowly increasing muscle mass to raise your metabolism? That way, what you need to maintain will increase. (Very slowly, but it is possible). At your age, you should be able to do that. Works for us older folks too, just not as easy!

I think I will do that. I have been lax in making sure I stay at 1500, but I'm determined to lose a couple lbs before the wedding and after that the remaining 10lbs.

Thanks!