do I have to workout to maintain my weight?

my burn meter is 1650. I eat 1500 or 1400 calories a day. I don't workout these days because I have suffered from low blood pressure and anemia and also I feel down these days because of a lot of stress at work. I know I just make excuses to not workout. I am just not motivated to workout. all what I want to do after work is to go home, eat dinner and sleep.

ok. Now, I have started to gain weight. I thought I would maintain my weight if I eat 1400 or 1500 a day. It does sound like I have to workout to maintain.

any thoughts on this?

I think you need to "workout" or do something physical for your mental and physical health.  Physical activity is a stress relief and helps you maintain your physical health.  I know that when I don't workout that I tend to get sick much more frequently and I seem to stay sick longer.

Now the definition of a workout varies from person to person.  I went salsa dancing last night and it was quite a good workout!

but why am I gaining weight? what if I want to maintain for now?

I think that many people are able to maintain without exercise, but I know that I don't seem to be able to.  Fortunately I've found exercise that I truly enjoy.

You should be able to maintain without exercise with just calorie counting, but when that's not working I'm afraid you're going to have to add some exercise, perhaps just every other day for 1/2 an hour.  I know that about 1700-1900 calories should be right for you when you're sedentary with your height and weight.

you know, Sara. I will try to workout. BUT, I still don't understand why I am gaining if I eat maintenance.

these days, I eat 1400-1500 without workout. I am not active during the day as my job requires me to sit the whole day.

I think you're a shade taller than I am, so I'm surprised that 1400-1500 is your maintenance, it seems so low. 

You know the obvious reasons, do any of them apply to you?

1.  Miscounting calories by either over or under estimating.  Forgetting to log the little items and having lots of little items.  I'm not talking about gum, more the bite here and there of little things that we all tend to do.

2.  Counting exercise as being worth more than it actually is...such an easy trap to fall into!

3. Thyroid issues, an underactive thyroid can make weight loss seem impossible even though you're doing everything right.

Beyond that, are you perhaps sleep walking at night and eating?  Or grabbing a quick bagel where they slather on the cream cheese...adding syrup to coffee or not counting milk?

LOL Sara. you made me smile :)

1- I weigh everything I put in my open mouth. even 10g of paresly. I weighed once some celery and it was worth 6 calories but I did add it.

2- I set my burn meter at sedentery. basically, because I sit on the damn chair the whole day. 

I am 5'3". 1650 is my burn meter according to CC.

I suspected thyroid too but I know that I successfully lost most of the weight two years ago. I restricted my calories at that time very well. I actually was happier than now in terms of work and life. when I discussed this with my doctor, she said I don't have any thyroid problem.

no, I don't sleep walking. :) you know what? even if I 'll do so, there is no bagles in my place :) there is celery, bokchoy and okra :(

I gained fat in my thighs and hips. I know that I don't move around a lot. Actually, most of the time, I am tired  but with a good diet and keeping my calories on track, that should NOT be the case at all.

maybe 1650 is not my maintaince. 

oh I forgot. today, I ate 1750. that is 100 cals OVER. and two days ago, I ate 2000. 

these are the only two times I went overboard. really.

Glad I did that at least! 

I rather figured that you did weigh stuff.  I know that you've been sedentary...the only other thing I can think of is that your body has adjusted to the lack of exercise and lower calories. 

The only method that I know of to jump start your system again involves intense exercise...I'm going to have to do that myself as I've gained 10 lbs back over the last few months of very little activity. 

honey, you will lose those 10 pounds very quickly. I know you will

I think my body has adjusted to exercise and once I stop, it gains weight. that is what it is. Jeez, that means I have to be active even if I eat maintenance.

I would suggest zig-zagging calories and intensifying (and varying) the exercise.