As some may know I am trying to bump up my calorie count at the moment because my calorie count was way way to low. Well a few days ago I looked up what my calorie count should be to maintain my current weight and that was 1988. And if I want to lose weight it should be 1488. So my question is this right now do I need to go up to the 1988 for a few weeks and then slowly decrease. Or should I aim for the 1488. Right now I am aiming for 1488 and my appetite is coming back so I assume I am on the right track. Any thoughts.

I would shoot for 1600 for a week or so and then, if you are not losing, decrease it by 100.

1988 seems kind of high to maintain 164 pounds. Remember that these sites are only guesstimates.

I would aim for 1400 - 1500 and see if you need to tweak. Although I agree that 1988 could be high for some people of your weight (to maintain) I've found those calculators to be true for me (or sometimes even a bit low.) I weigh 6 lbs less than you do and I'm losing 2lbs a week at 1400-1500 calories.

That being said, everyone's body is different. Try the 1488 and if you lose too quickly then up your calories, if you don't lose then lower them a bit (50 to 100 calories at a time.)

It depends. I normally lose at 1200-1600 a day, depending on where I am in my weight loss, and my maintenance weight normally (after reaching goal from each baby) is usually in the 1600-2000 calorie range.

It actually isn't a lot if you are maintaining 164 pounds...but it is a bit too much for most who are trying to maintain 150, 140, 130 etc. or for someone who is trying to maintain 164 but isn't as active.



Maria is right, though-they are all guestimates...so I would definitely go by your own body, and what YOU lose and maintain at-rather than what a calculator says.

Just for perspective, I can maintain a weight of 175(ish) on around 2100 calories a day -- exercising an average of 30-40 min each day, including weights 2-3 days/week. 1988 for 164 pounds might be okay (or too high or too low) depending on the person!

In other words, everyone is different, so maintenance calories for ME might not be the same for someone else.