If i burn approximately 500 at the gym, how many calories should i eat a day? ?

Your basal metabolic rate requires 1600 calories a day just to maintain your weight, and that's if you don't do any kind of work whatsoever. If you burn about 500 calories at the gym every day, I would tack that on to 1600. Aim for 2100 calories a day (don't worry, you'll still lose weight, as your energy expenditures still exceed your calorie intake) and make sure your calories come from nutrient dense foods. Drink plenty of water and take a multivitamin.