Kudos for you taking charge of your health by the horns. That being said, don't put pressure on yourself to exercise daily. Slow and steady wins the race. Don't burn yourself out and know when to rest.

Make sure you have some fat with your veggies, especially that large salad at lunch. It will help you absorb fat-soluble vitamins. I'd recommend a little pastured butter with your breakfast, a bit of homemade vinaigrette on your salad at lunch.

If you're really eating to satiety and not unconsciously trying to restrict calories, then I think 1500-1800 calories/day is fine. It's almost certainly not enough to meet your daily caloric needs, but I'm going to assume that the remainder is coming from fat-stores, and I think your diet will provide adequate micronutrients.

"...but don't want to delay my long term goals by undereating(that sounds stupid even as I type it)."

That's not stupid at all. Lots of people sabotage a weight-loss diet by starving themselves in the beginning and bingeing later.

Also, what "Roth" said about exercising. If you're determined to exercise every day, limit cycling sessions to no more than 30 minutes at ~70% of MHR. Whatever fat-loss benefit you get from exercising will come from improved insulin sensitivity, not "burning calories".

Congrats! I think you're wise to worry if your cals are too low. I have a suggestion: When losing, I think it's sometimes best to start closer to the upper end of your calorie range. You may avoid burnout and you can always go down from there later if need be. You might consider trying to get up closer to 2,000 a day.

The easiest way to do this would be to add a little fat (and it seems like your diet might be low in it - you don't mention any added fats in your description). A few Tbsp. of olive oil vinaigrette or 1/2 an avocado to your salad plus a Tbsp. of grass-fed butter on your veggies at dinner each day - that should get you to 2,000 (or really close). Of course the add'l calories don't have to come from fat - that's just an easy fix.

If you're reluctant to change your current plan or add fats, you could also consider having one day/week with a bump in calories (2500-3000) if you don't think this will throw you off track/make you want to overeat. Maybe you drink some wine, have a little cheese, etc. on this day. Calorie-wise, it will come out roughly same at the end of each week. This "cheat day" or whatever you want to call it helps some stay sane (and some suggest it may even help your body to let go of fat), but it doesn't work for everybody.

Good luck!!

Congrats!

I started at 386 in Feb and am now 318. I took some time to get used to my new diet before adding much exercise. I also kept to walking and not really very fast. Any movement was good as far as I was concerned.

I have had a hard time eating the number of calories conventional wisdom says I should. I often eat 1600-2000 calories. Actually having a real on/off switch for hunger was a new thing for me. So i wanted to reward my off switch.

After 3 months of walking, I am now adding bicycling. It's how I do sprints and still protect my joints. 318 is still pretty heavy.

FYI, I lean Sisson/primal and don't view exercise as a means of weight loss. My eating is my weight loss. My exercise is to improve my recreation and time with my kids. I don't want any injuries that might throw me off.

Again - Congratulations on making this decision.

I think you're doing great! Everything you're eating sounds satisfying, while your exercise regime sounds like it's intense to start, if you are benefiting from it and not burning yourself out then awesome. If 1500-1800 calories doesn't leave you hungry all of the time, then don't sweat it.

Hello and welcome! You'll do great! I have a friend who is much shorter than you and much heavier who is Paleo as well. As a bigger guy, he's mainly focusing on the diet part for a few months.