How much is right?

Hello to all, I am almost 2 years out. I am reviewing where I am and what to do next. I have lost about 130 since surgery, but have gained back about 10. I am 5' 11" and currently weigh in at 198.4.  My questions are what should my goal calorie intake be daily? I work out everyday, mostly bike and walking. When I bike I go for about 1 1/2 hours and when I walk it is about 75 minutes. I understand the 64 grams of water and 60 grams of protein, but how many calories? I have not counted calories before and am thinking that I should. Tell me what you think. Thanks in advance for the input. Mike

Hi Mike, I think it all depends on what you are trying to accomplish.  Maintenance, or losing?  The best advice would be to see a nutritionist and let them set parameters for you.  Everybody is different.  I try to keep my calories under 1200 daily, and keep it low carb (under 60 daily).  I drink well over 100 ounces of water, flavored water daily also.  Hope you find out what you need to know. 

  Wiseman: Google BMR calculator.  You can put in weight, height, daily activity, ect.   It will tell you how many calories you need to maintain and how many to lose.   Good luck!!  DeeAnn

First off, Congratulations on losing 130 lbs. That is Tremendous! (Pun intended)  Next, find a BMR Calculator (http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/) and insert your height and the weight you would LIKE to be at. That will tell you how many calories you can consume to maintain the weight you desire to be. If you weigh more than you want to right now, you consume the amount of calories for the weight you want to be at and you "automatically" lose weight. Hope this helps. Hugs,      Piggybabe

Here's 2 links that might help~ http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/ http://www.thinnerself.com/files/calculator.htm

I went to a nutrition seminar last night, and my handout says you should eat ten calories a day for every pound you want to weigh. So to maintain 198 pounds, you should eat about 1,980 calories a day. That's with moderate exercise. (I'm trying to maintain 150 pounds and I'm supposed to get 1,500 calories a day, but I think I'd start gaining if I ate that much. I guess it's low metabolism.)