Strange calculations?

I am a 5'9 female small frame, 131lbs.

CC says I should be eating 2200 daily to -maintain- my weight.

I am looking to hopefully lose maybe 5-6 lbs, or at the very least bring down my measurements a bit. I'm fairly active and spend an hour a day 5-6 days a week at the gym.

Could CC's calculations be right?

That depends.  What did you set your activity level at and is that really accurate?  What most of us do around here is set it to sedendary, log our activity, and eat extra food on days we're really active so that we maintain a 500-700 cal. per day deficit.

I set my activity level at light, because I do work in an office, however, I walk to work, and around a little at work and at lunch, and do some light housework upon getting home. I log all other activities beyond those general things. 

I just don't see how I'm supposed to be able to consume 2200 calories in a day, when most days I barely feel I can eat 1000 - since I've started logging 1000 seems to be my average (not intentionally)... not only that, but no weight loss is occurring anyhow... am I not able to lose any more weight?

1000 is WAY to low for you. An average, sedentary woman should eat at least 1200 calories. You are considerably taller and work out frequently. You can't lose weight because your body is clinging to everything you're feeding it. Try eating more like 1800-2000 cals/day for a couple weeks. You might see a little gain at first because you've been undereating, but then you should start to lose weight.

If you lost 5-6 pounds you would meet the weight criteria for anorexia nervosa.  You're already mighty light for you height, so I don't think it's recommended for you to lose weight at this point.  How long have you only been eating about 1000 calories?  You should eat more, not to lose weight but because you're placing your body under enormous stress by undereating for your height and activity level.  It probably makes the most sense to increase your intake slowly over the course of a few weeks as you adjust to eating more.  If you eat more and either take up or keep up weight training for exercise, you'll be able to firm up your tiny frame and feel fit.  If you try to increase your calories and notice that it's difficult to do so because of fears of gaining weight or you feel "stuck" in a rigid way in your old patterns, I'd recommend seeking some professional support.  Good luck. 

I agree - the minimum calorie intake for healthy survival is 1200 for an adult woman. I'm 5'0.5" tall, and my minimum calorie intake is 1300. You're quite tall, and hardly need to lose weight; eating so little can't be healthy. Check up on your BMI. There are plenty of ways to get in your recommended calorie intake without feeling too full-- For instance, nuts are extremely healthy and rich in calories, without being too much to eat. Hard-boiled eggs are also great. 

Try focusing less on thin, and more on happy. You probably look great. Learn to love yourself. 

I was only trying to get down to my pre-university weight, but you're all probably right, and it may not be very healthy, although when I've checked my BMI it says I'm in a normal range. 

I've always eaten so little, and can hardly imagine eating more in a day.. It's always felt like enough, but since I started paying attention I've realized that 1000 is too few... I was just very confused that I'm recommended to have 2200... it seems like an awful lot.

Seems about right for maintenance for a healthy adult female. You may find that your 1000 calorie/day regimen has slowed down your metabolism over time, so don't go from 1000 to 2200 in a day unless you do not mind modest short term weight gain. Raise your calorie intake up by 200 a week until you reach the healthy maintenance level.

I just put your statistics into the BMI calculator, and at 5'9" and 131 pounds, you are actually classified as UNDERweight.  I agree with the other posts; you should gradually start to increase you caloric intake in order to boost your metabolism.  In addition, perhaps you should try toning and light weight lifting.  You can look and feel as good if not better than you did while at University while improving your overall health and well being. 

Hi there!

I agree with all the above posters that 1000 is too little.

But I also think that you're right and 2200 is probably too much.  Since you mention "pre-uni" weight, that makes me think you are over 21, so your metabolism is already starting to slow down.  Pair that with eating 1000 for goodness knows how long, and I would agree that your body wouldn't even know what to do with 2200 calories!

Of course, if you increase your calories slowly (like durgy said), you can find out what is best for your body.  Maybe 1800-1900?  That's only a guess, though.

You might be right that the CC calculator is off a bit.  I am about an inch and a half shorter than you and weigh only maybe 3-4 pounds less, I am also set to "lightly active" and it says that I need to eat 1900 to maintain.  Maybe there is a secret virus in the program to make skinny people think they need to eat more so they gain weight and then can NEVER LEAVE CC!!  Bwaahaha!

No, but seriously, you seem to be at a healthy weight, so maybe the others are right and you should focus more on toning than on losing those last couple of pounds.  However, if you want to lose them, just make sure you do it carefully and healthily (no more 1000 cals a day!).  The BMI calculator is a very simple tool that can't possibly take every variable into account.  Since you say you have a very small frame, and I assume you are still pretty young, your body might be healthy at 125 pounds.  Be careful not to go overboard, though.  Think of your health first.

Good luck!!