Some questions

**Emerald_Mommy** · 02-23-2006, 11:20 AM

How do you know how many calories you should eat a day? I went to that BMI site the other day and mine is good/healthy, whatever

but I'm not sure what I should be doing to maintain my weight. Like yesterday, I kept a list of everything I ate and the calories and my total was 800. Is that good or bad or indifferent?

Is there some kind of site that tells you what to shoot for? I'm five foot four inches and I weigh one hundred twenty pounds but it seems like my weight varies from 120 - 130. I lost most of my baby weight (I went up to 160 lbs with Isabel) but nothing is the same anymore.

So, I'm not exactly trying to lose weight, but I would like to be in better shape after two babies. TIA for your help!

**Mojjo** · 02-23-2006, 11:25 AM

I'm not an expert...but 800 sounds low. Have you asked your doctor?

**FrugalMomof3** · 02-23-2006, 12:00 PM

800 calories is too low, when you eat a small amount of calories your body goes into starvation mode, you may lose a pound or so but you will gain it back.

Try to stay at or near 1200 calories a day, believe me it WILL work, I have written before on another thread that by me eating 1200 calories give or take a few I was able to 52.8 lbs in 3-4 months.

**Emerald_Mommy** · 02-23-2006, 12:12 PM

So is 1200 calories for losing weight or maintaining weight? Like I said, I don't really want to lose any, just stay where I am.

I'm pretty sure yesterday was a fluke, I just wasn't hungry all day. I probably eat more than that usually.

**dndylfe** · 02-23-2006, 12:15 PM

For an inactive woman, you're supposed to aim for 1200-1500 calories. More if you're exercising or still nursing.

And the best way to help "rearrange" all of the stuff that's been moved about by pregnancy is just plain old exercise. You can find an exercise program that helps target the area that is sadly lacking. I rotate kickboxing for weight loss and pilates/yoga for toning. And of course, I concentrate mostly in the belly area since that's where all of my stuff got "rearranged" to

**FrugalMomof3** · 02-23-2006, 12:26 PM

1200 calories should be your min. To maintain weight just stay at 1200 calories and a little more when it's that time of month, your nursing, etc...

Another thing I noticed, dont weigh yourself everyday, your mind will play a trick on you thinking you shouldn't eat because you gained a few ounces. Believe me I've been there!

**Emerald_Mommy** · 02-23-2006, 12:43 PM

I don't own a scale, so I only weigh myself 5-6 times a year, so that's not the problem.

I guess all the conflicting images / messages and my own feelings were just confusing me.

Thanks for all your help, ladies! Now, any suggestions on what kind of exercise is best for the thighs? 'Cause that's where it "settled" on me.