Calorie intake after at goal

Can someone please tell me how many calories you should consume a day to maintain your current weight. I'm 3 years post op and usually eat between 1000-1400 calories per day. It seems I lose weight at this amount. I am just curious if anyone else can tell me the amount they consume or if anyone is a dietician that would be very helpful. I'm to parinoid to increase my intake without being told to do so. I'm 51 if that matters in determining the amount. I would say I'm considered active although I do slack at different times with my exercise but for the most part I do exercise.

Peggy: Here is what I eat..I just posted to another request...Jamie please join: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/OSSG_Off_track/ my group for more ideas of longer term posties! or; http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG/ There is no right or wrong answer to your question... Finding healthy balance for your body is only something that YOU can do.... The balance w/ food/exercise that makes you stable in wt and health (labs etc)... Many say ~1,500cal a day and 30-60 min exercise DAILY is that balance..but so many things factor into that, age, gender, medical conditions, meds, lifestyle, genetics, how bad your metabolism was shot etc, type of surgery..... Start by logging food AND exercise either on paper or www.fitday.com be AWARE of what your doing, what does your recent labs say about bit/protein/mineral levels? How do you feel? How is your wt? Then wahat amouont of calories/protein/carbs/fat does it take to stay even? I think wt maintenance is the hardest part. ONKY we can get to know our bodies! I can tell u a typical day in mhy life as 3 yr postop, but it is based on me, a woman age 33, no comorbidities, no meds, I exercise DAILY 60 min at least w/e I do 2 hrs in the gym It is usually 45-60 min cardio a day...I eat ~1500cal a day I focus on a south beach sort of lifestyle (NOT A DIT!) What I do 90% of the time matters, I strive for growth personally as well as progress, NEVER perfection! B: 5am protein shake, whey gourmet by PVL *** I like PVL whey gourmet flavors the best, White chocolate, vanilla, raspberry, caramel dip, milk chocolate, PB chocolate, blueberry, orange cremescicle....This is where I order it online: (2# tub $21.95) http://www.a1nutritionproducts.com/buy/pvl/whey_gourmet Most 120 cal 23g protein a scoop 2.6 g carbs 2 g fat.... 15 Flavors to choose from NEW Arctic Cappuccino FrappeNEW Creamy Dreamy Milk ChocolateNEW Radical Raspberry SmoothiePiña Colada BreezeCreamy Orangesicle SwirlCreamy Caramel DipDark Chocolate MousseMocha Java MadnessSmooth Peanut Butter ChocolateStrawberry Banana SmoothyBlueberry BurstChocolate Chip Mint ExtremeVanilla Ice Cream RoyaleSilky Smooth White ChocolateRootbeer FloatCookies & Crème SupremeSAMPLES AT: (beth's is only site I have seen pvl samples) http://tinyurl.com/9prnh$1.99/ea. 1 scoop (23g protein) 4 ice cubes 3 strawberries frozen 6 oz water whizzed in magic bullet blender w/ 1 T ground flax seed and 1 scoop (500mg) Upcal D calcium citrate powder 6am 4 cups water at gym (multivit, 2 citrical = 500mg calcium citrate) 1 colace (stool softner).. 530am -8am(2 mugs each w/) decaf (chai or herbal) tea 20 oz w/ 3 splenda packets and soy slender 1/4 c vanilla soy milk Go to the gym 60-120 min cardio/strength training/wts/stretching Am meal: 9am 1 lo carb yog (blue bunny at walmart) w/ 1 pack either lemon or pb flavor lean protein bites. http://www17.netrition.com/breakthrough_lean_protein_bites_page.html 11am ferrous gluconate 300mg tab (=35mg elemental iron) w/ vit c 500mg and some water. 12n: 2-3 cups spring mix lettuce/salad w: 1 radish, 3 slices cukes, few slices celery, few pieces of matchstick carrots (precut), brocco spouts, 1/4 avocado, 2T sunflower seeds or almond slices, 1T flax seed ground 3-4 oz protein (either shrimp, salmon, chicken breast, or tuna) & usually 1/2 hard boiled egg sliced. 2T salad dressing: Iuse litehouse BC or my own vinegrette or litehouse spicy ranch. 2pm: 4 cups diet koolaid or crystal lite w/ citrical 2 tabs =500mg 3-4pm diet jello 1/2c with dollup of coolwhip (I like vanilla flavored one), apple small golden delicious w/ 2 oz colbyjack cheese or lo carb protein bar such as south beach or genisoy lo carb crunch. http://www17.netrition.com/genisoy_low_carb_bars_page.html or walmart has em (not always but in a pinch!) 5-6pm decaf tea 20 oz w/ 3 splenda and 1/4 cup soy slender milk http://www.westsoy.biz/products/slender.php 6-7pm dinner: 3-5 oz meat: (such as chicken, turkey, pork, fish, potroast, lamb) and usually 1/4 cup either sweet potato, mashed rhutabega, mashed cauliflower (mock potatoes) and 1/3 c greenveggie or 2 serv veggies if no starch. 8-9pm protein shake w/ flax seed ground (for fiber/omega 3/6 ligans and constipation help!) 1T and upcalD (i do 2000mg calcium a day) http://www.flaxcouncil.ca/primer.htm for flax info.... I can and do eat a slice of pizza a few x's a month I do vary routine at times but this is my basic day and works for me at 3+ yrs out I am w/i 10# of my lowest... Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

Peggy, I was told that a basic formula for maintnance was to multiply 12 cals for each pound of weight to get a maintnance amount of cals. Then you need to add in if you burn a lot doing exercise. Hope that helps. Michelle 205/109/105