Thank you all so much! I can definitely be happy if I can maintain at around the 1500 range. I was so worried that I'd be eating around 1200, but it doesn't look like that's normal. Thanks for making me feel better.

Who you calling not normal??? Just kidding. No 1200 isn't what your average folk would have to maintain on. But I'm by no means normal.

I'm very fortunate though that I very rarely experience real hunger. I love what I'm eating and more importantly I LOVE my life. I would gladly consume that 1200 calories 7 days a week, instead of the 4 that I do, if it were necessary to maintain my weight. That's just how worth it I think it is. I wouldn't go back to "that other (non) life of mine" for any money in the world. I willlingly and happily do what I do in order to maintain. It is no hardship. It is a joy and a pleasure.

I'm glad you feel better. Don't fear maintenance. Don't fret about how many calories you will or will not be able to consume - look forward to it. Maintenance is a wonderful place to be.

Hey Meg,
How long have you taken Synthroid? Did you notice an increase in metabolism?? I ask,because I'm not sure I'm happy with Amour. I have also been diagnosed with Pre-Ovarian failure. Haven't had a normal period pretty much since I was 16..then it just stopped. So I have ovaries of a 60year old woman. It effects a lot of things. My estrogen levels are super low. I'm taking estrogen & progesterone pills to at least get my estrogen to a healthy level for bone health. I also take once monthly testosterone shots. Apharently testosterone is produced in your ovaries so since mine aren't working,no testosterone. This has really helped me build muscle. Needless to say I think my metabolism and my ability to lose stubborn fat has be a struggle. My doctor hopes that once my thyroid is under control,my period might return. This happened to one of his patients.

You're metabolism is going to depend on a number of factors. In addition to those already mentioned (age, goal weight, specific medical issues), how you lost the weight and how much muscle you retain or add will also have an impact.

I recently reached my original goal weight (150) but decided to go for another ten pounds. Right now I'm losing on 1800 calories/day and mostly weight training.

I've only been maintaining for about a month, but I've been within a 2-pound range the whole time. I still log everything I eat. My daily calorie intake during my month of maintenance has averaged a whopping 2700 (considering that I was trying to use 1400/1600 as my range to lose, I'm pretty sure my body thought I was starving it, so I may still be readjusting somewhat). Exercise is a daily 90-minute hot yoga class, plus 30 minutes of running or elliptical, plus a generally active lifestyle (walk or bike most places) that I don't really measure or count.

ETA: I am almost 33, 5'5", and 133.6 pounds this morning.

You know, it is actually nice to know that someone can successfully maintain without tons of exercise.

For me, it helps to keep panic at bay when I have an injury and have to cut back on exercise to rehab. It's just comforting to know that as long as I pay close attention to and adjust my calories accordingly, an injury doesn't mean I'll suddenly start gaining weight.

And for my mother (who gets most of her weight loss support from me), it lets her know that just because her physical exercise is extremely limited by various health issues, it doesn't mean she can't be successful at losing and then maintaining a reasonable weight.

I would definitely say that in my experience, weight loss was 90% diet. Maintenance is nearly 100% diet. I really do loathe all forms of exercise (there is no point where it feels good, I just always want it to be over), I try to consider it like flossing or paying taxes or cleaning the litterbox, but I can't ever seem to be motivated to do it for longer than a couple of weeks.

I tell you what, you look gorgeous and you've naturally got calves like someone who works outs -- so yay for fantastic genetics!

About 2000-2200 calories per day, I guess I'm one of those people , anyway I walk every day for 1 hour, workout with weight twice per week.

The calves are genetic, they look exactly like my mom's