Hi! I actually don't "belong" in this part of 3FCs because I definitely still need to lose. However, I was just curious about how many calories many of your maintainers need to eat to maintain your weight. I know that it varies depending on several factors (age, height, activity, etc.), but I just want to get an estimate. I'm 5 ft. 3 1/2 (that 1/2 is important--LOL!), 39 years old, and lately I've been exercising 3 days a week for about 45-50 minutes each time (about 30-40 minutes of cardio & about 15 minutes resistance exercises). My goal weight is 135 lbs., so that's the calorie level I'm really inquiring about. I've tried several online calorie calculators, but I just wanted to get a sense of how many calories people eat to maintain in "real life." Thanks!

Hi Lynn and of course you "belong" here! Everyone who wants to keep weight off belongs here, no matter where you are in your weight loss journey! So stick around!

I think you're wise to ignore the on-line calculators. It's probably coincidence or sheer luck if they work for anyone - they're usually pretty far off from reality.

I'd say the maintenance calories I've seen here at 3FC range from 1200 - 2100 or so. We're all so different! I'm pretty close to your height and weight and I maintain at 1400 - 1600 calories with some pretty intense daily exercise. But I'm older (52) and hypothyroid, so that may skew me downward more than you.

I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences!

Hi and welcome! I would suggest that you work with your daily calories until you find what keeps you at maintenance. I started this when I was within 10 pounds of my original goal of 114. I have since realized that I am not willing to kill myself trying to get those last 6 pounds off so I am maintaining at 120. I up my calories 100 a day and keep it there for 2 weeks, if the scale stays the same or goes down, I up them again by another hundred. I have been doing this for quite a while now and have stayed around 120. I refuse to stop upping calories until I see a gain. I want to live on as many calories as possible...lol I am now at 1800 calories a day with one "free" day most weeks and still the scale is being forgiving. I exercise 6 days a week. I do 5 days of 60 minutes of cardio and 3 days of 30-45 minutes weight training. I also am doing a ton of walking as it is summer. I know when the walking has to stop, the calories may need to go down. However, my goal is to get my body burning as many calories as possible just to stay alive. Good luck and I hope to see more of you here!!!!

Hi, I am 47 yrs. old and I am maintaining on 1400-1500 calories a day with mostly walking for exercise (3 miles 5X a week).

I'm almost 40 and about your height and 125# and I maintain on 1800-2100 a day, with an occasional splurge day. I do quite a bit of weight training tho.

I'm 38, 5'7" and maintain on about 2200 plus whatever I burn off in exercise. I'm also maintaining a 110 lb loss at about 175 (well, ignoring that I'm pregnant and so far gaining according to schedule). Please note that I'm a fidgiter/pacer and get about 8000 steps of walking in a day before exercise. The calorie calculators do not work for a lot of people so I wouldn't rely on them, but don't assume they won't work either--they are usually within a hundred calories for me. There is some trial and error to get the balance between the weight and lifestyle you want.

Anne

I'm 24 and 133lbs and I maintain around 1600-2000/day depending on exercise. I have a sedentary job so if I don't go to the gym, about all the exercise I get is walking from my cubicle to the bathroom.

Thanks for the responses, ladies! Mel, you were right: there does seem to be quite a disparity in calorie requirements among maintainers. I definitely should up my exercise to 5 days a week, but for now, I'm just pushing myself to reach 3 days (I'm inherently lazy ). Thanks, and to any others who want to post, please keep 'em comin'. I love to read any and all experiences.

Hi Lynn - welcome to maintainers. I'm 46, 5'1" and average 1200 a day with minimal exercise. My weight bounces between 105 to 110 on a daily bases so it's mostly a water weight issue. My clothes fit exactly the same and my body doesn't feel any different if I'm high or low on any particular day.

You should be able to eat more than I do based on your height and weight goal. Keep working toward it and let us know of your progress.

Hi Lynn and Welcome to Maintainers Of course you belong here- I think it's a good place for everyone who intends to keep the weight off!

I'm 52, almost 5'3" and maintain on about 1400-1600 calories with lots of exercise. Daily cardio 5 days a week for 45 minutes. and 40-60 minutes of weightlifting 5 days a week.

Mel

I probably maintain on about 2700 right now (I'm not counting at the moment because it was driving me crazy)......but I have no illusions that will last forever. I'm nursing a baby (about 700 cal/day) and average about 5000 calories per week from exercise.

So why, you may ask, is it still so hard to stay in that calorie range sometimes?

Oh...yeah....I'm HUNGRY.. Life would be much easier if your appetite didnt increase with your expenditure...

Hi Lynn -- I'm 41, 5'5" and maintaining around 175 pounds on 2100+ calories a day. I exercise 5-6 days a week, both cardio and weights.

Has anyone else tried this method?

Wow --I am in awe of the amount of exercise some of you ladies do! Here I was feeling proud for my measley 3 days--LOL! You're all an inspiration!

lynn -- please continue to feel proud! It IS an accomplishment, and you exercise more than most Americans do! Keep that in mind!