How one goes about figuring how based upon their exercise level, number of calories to maintain, and not lose or gain?? outside a pound or two of course...

I basically tweak what I eat/how intensely I work out and weigh in every single week. Daily weigh-ins have too much variation for me. When I've gained, it has been because I did not track my food carefully. (I don't count calories, but I use WW points). Increasing the raw vegetables always makes me full faster. Eating too many nuts (mmmm....cashews) was a problem for me in Nov/December and I'm now working diligently to take a few pounds back off.

Hope that helps.

It's pretty much trial and error. If you track your daily calories and exercise, and weigh yourself weekly, you'll soon have your answer. Metabolic calculators have never been accurate for me personally, but we have one here at 3FC that you could use as a starting point -- Daily Calorie Needs Calculator.

Hope that helps!

thanks so much you guys!! this sort of thing was never an issue for me, but since the thyroid issues this past year and the age factor (who knew turning 41 would wreak havoc on me?), i am just not sure anymore!!!