Calories in maintenance

You have to figure out what works for you. I suggest tracking your food, at least every once in a while, and watching the scale. Just be aware, the further you get out, your calorie needs may change. I reached goal at 14 months out. I did not want to get any lower so I increased my calories. I was eating 2500-3000 calories a day. Around the 2 year mark, the honeymoon period was over and I gained 10 pounds instantly. I cut back and lost them. Now I eat 1700-2000 calories a day to maintain. I do not adjust my daily calories if I exercise. I feel like that is just built in. This works for me.

I think our metabolisms can vary greatly, which is why our calorie needs for maintenance can be so different. After years of observing here, the average seems to be 1200-1600.

as others said - it is not the calories but what I eat and drink that makes the difference.  If I get too many carbs - I may gain even on 1000 cal a day. But I may lose or maintain on 1500-2000 calories if I chose low carb, high proteins - mostly natural foods (meats, veggies, nuts)

I don't care what formulas are out there, it is a very individual thing.

I am almost 48 (yikes!), workout 5 days a week either running or P90X, and have a substantial amount of muscle.

I eat between 1,600-2,000 calories average per day, with at least 120 grams of protein. I eat 6-7 small meals each day.  Realistically, I am still metabolically "broken".  I SHOULD be able to consume much more based on all the "formulas" for my age, activity level and muscle mass.  But alas, I was metabolically broken before surgery, and technically still am.

I had to experiment by increasing/decreasing calories on a weekly basis to find the right place.