how many calories for maintenance & the long haul?

So, I'm intrigued. How many calories is considered "normal" for someone who has had RNY and in maintenance mode?  I'm 19 months out, down 150lbs & i think this is where my body is stopping. I'm currently 5'5, 152, work out 5 days a week in the am (sometimes 2x a day--maybe 3 days a week). Of course I'm happy, but I'll always want more!

I'm just trying to figure out what is "normal" for us for the long haul.  Will I ever be able to consume a 2,000 calorie diet like a "normal person" or will that cause me to blow up like a balloon??  I still weigh my food & measure & count like a newbie... but I tend to freak out when I'm out & can't be OCD like at home with the measuring :)

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm trying to loosen the reigns a bit without falling off the wagon.. trying to get some "go-with-the-flow" out of life.. not feel like I'm anally retentive about what healthy food selections I have available to me while I'm out & about for the day if I don't have a packed cooler by my side. :)

1200-1600 seems to be the average for most people from posts I've seen here. I usually eat 1700-2000 calories per day.

It will depend on a number of factors, like how much you weigh and how active you are.  I eat about 1500 calories a day to maintain my weight.

thanks for the reply!!

you maintain at your weight too?? that's a relief! i also see that you had plastics on your arms.  how do you feel about it? i'm considering having it done. i'm 37 & they're bad to me (my friends and family say they're "not that bad" but I have to like me)!!

Maintenance has been pretty easy for me, thank goodness. I plan to stay diligent. And I love my arms now. I am 46 but have a lot of living left to do. I did not want to go through the rest of my life with old lady arms. Do what makes YOU happy!! 

How much was your arm plasty?  Was the recovery difficult?  Did you have any other plastic done?

i follow my fitness pal and based on my current weight my calorie intake changes.

Where is your arm scar? it is the length of the back of the arm?

No plastic surgeon worth a damn will put the scars down the back of the arms!  The scar should follow the natural hollow between the muscles on the inside of your arm (where the scars at towards your body when your arms are down).  That way no one sees them mess you have your arm up or extended.  When they go down the entire back of the arm, they are visible to everyone behind you no matter how your arms are positioned!  (I was shocked when I met a woman at one of the Oh conferences (and she was surprised that mine were hidden so much (except at the elbows).)

Lora

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