This is what I started off doing, but then as I read how (some) others were eating, I tried upping my calories to what calculators said I should be eating and I just couldn't eat all those calories everyday. So now I'm back to what works for me - eating when I'm hungry and quitting when I'm full. My bottom line is that I have to do what feels best for me. I still check out what other people are doing, but I won't adapt anything that doesn't work for me.

Thank you all for your help! You have given me things to think about and I appreciate it.

Stephanie

No way would I ever stick to maintenance if all I could eat was 1200-1300 calories a day. I normally eat around 1800-2000. I may lower it a little if I am not active that day.

I totally agree. My cals are almost always 1800 - 2000 and sometimes more.

You two must have active metabolisms. My metabolism resembles a pgymy tree sloths, on downers.

This made me feel SO much better!!!!

I used to be the queen of starvation. I could eat a low fat diet of no more 1200-1500 calories for weeks, months even. It was torture for the first few days, but eventually the hunger went away (though came out in the form of overwhelming urges to binge. Awesome!). I dropped below 115, my hair started falling out & I had all sorts of other medical problems start. 1200-1500 calories does not work for me! It starves my body.

Obviously every body is different. I haven't figured out my "magic number," but I know I have been eating 1800+ with just normal city walking.

pygmy tree sloths? That fast? Mine is like the comcast turtles...LOL

All joking aside, this does cause issues with me and certain medications. A dose based on my size/weight will seriously mess me up. I can't take regular doses of antihistamines, muscle relaxants or pain killers.

I find that while I have to eat very few calories to lose -- no matter how high or low my carb consumption -- that if I'm not eating a lot of carbs I can maintain on a wide caloric range.