Calorie Intake?

Hi. I've been reading these posts for a while but I just joined the site.  I'm really confused as all of the people on here, the Maintaining board, seem to still be on very low calorie levels.  I'm currently down to a calorie level of 1700 (on days i don't exercise) and then I have to add 250 calories for every 30 minutes I do exercise.  But the posts I've seen have been people exercising on 1400 calories! Are other people on higher calorie levels?

I think different people are at different levels. Age, gender, height and weight all are major factors in determining a person's calorie needs.

I think the hard thing is we spend all this time trying not to eat TOO many calories and then boom!  We are trying to eat enough.  Thats been the hard thing for me.  I am finding myself snacking on cheese and crackers some during the day to up my calories.  I try for 1600 cals a day and have a hard time forcing myself to hit 1400 cals a day.  I had gotten used to eating 1200-1300 cals so my stomach has shrunk I think.  Then factor in the hot weather and its hard to reach the calories for maintaining.  Anyone else have that problem?  I know my husband is having the same problem. 

I generally eat around 1800 a day.

I've pushed mine up to 1500-1700 daily.

I'm not all that sure what my maintenance calories are supposed to be, but if I'm not gaining anything back, I'm a happy camper.

I aim for 1700 a day and usually end up around 1500. It's hard, now that I'm used to not eating so much, I feel sick if I eat the "right" amount! Working my way up slowly, that's what I'm trying to do.

Oh ok! It's good to know I'm not the only one maintaining on 1700+ calories a day.  For those of you struggling to reach the right amount of maintaince calories, I found that Luna Bars help me get in all my nutrients.  They're 180 calories and they have about 5g fat, 25g carbs, and 10g protein!!! They're really tasty too!

I try to maintain a 1500 diet during the day for my goal, (I'm supposed to have 1700) but I have a problem with snacking tonnes after my daughter has gone to bed, so I leave the extra calories for that.

Some nights I go over board and end up with 2000 or more, and sometimes I fall asleep with her and only manage 1400.  So I suppose it kinda balances out?  :)