maintenance calories

Hi all.  I am getting close to maintenance.  I am 7 months out and have 2 pounds until I hit a "normal" bmi.  Woohoo! I would like to lose about 12 more pounds total, I think, to put me well within the normal range.  I'm 5'3" and started at 220 lbs, and have lost 78 lbs, putting me at 142 now.  I have started up again with logging everything on MyFitnessPal in preparation for maintenance.  I had stopped logging for a while because my calorie intake never really changed.  I have found that I am now eating about 800-1000 calories most days.  I'm a little nervous, not only about figuring out how to stop losing weight, but also how to keep from gaining it back.  My plan is to slowly increase my calories and see how my weight is effected.  I found a website to give me an estimate of calories needed to maintain, but that seems really high.  It was 1700 on the low end and 2200 on the high end if exercising a lot.  For those of you in maintenance, how many calories do you shoot for?

Hi, I'm 2 years and 9 months out. Everyone is different. Make sure you talk to your nutritionist to be on the safe side of thing.  This is what works for me...

I started off at 346 now weight 165

50 grams of fat

under 2000 mg of sodium

up to 160 grams of carbs

fiber and sugar I don't normally keep track of

80-120,130+ of protein 

I've kind of been in maintenance for a while now.  My calories typically come in ~1300.  I think I may slightly undercalculate -- I'm generous with vegetables and protein if I am still hungry.  I do workout a lot.  It seems when I am at the higher end of my maintenence range, I still to this or a little less and lose down to mid / low range.  

there are cycles when I am not tracking as much i gain a little -- more wine or dessert.  

I think the improtant thing is to keep an eye on things and correct quickly rather than letting 5 / 10 / 15 lbs come back first.  I'd definitely not change things until you are where you want to be, then slowly increase.  :)  

First, congratulations on your success!  Maintenance is tricky at first, but you'll find your way in time. Just add calories slowly so you have enough time to assess the impact.

It took me months to level out!  I've been maintaining at about 115 pounds for 18 months and I eat about 1500 calories daily. 

Thanks!  Wow! 115 pounds is tiny!  Congrats!

I'm only an inch shorter than you!  I started at 225 with BMI of 41.  Top end of normal BMI for me is 136#.  My goal was 125, but I actually levelled out at just under 115#.  I tell you this because you never know how low you will go!!  Also want to invite you to join us in the VSG Maintenance Group - lots of great info and support there.  

That makes me excited to think I might be that small someday! You are right, I am probably not setting my goal low enough.  My weight loss has really slowed down, but it hasn't stopped yet. I will start reading the maintenance board too. Thanks.

Multiply the weight you want to maintain by 10.  130 times 10 equals 1300 calories a day to maintain.

Congrats on your progress!  I am the same height and once I hit goal, was slowly increased from the # of calories you are eating now to 1200-1300 calories per day by my RD, based on my exercise routine.  I have slowly lost more weight, even with this calorie level, but feel great.  I can't imagine how I'd get in any more than 1300 calories per day.  I'd talk to your dietician as it needs to be balanced with your exercise.  Lots of good luck!!

Thanks for the info!