How many calories should I REALLY be eating?

bgt84

Hi all,

I'm a 6', 0.5" male, age 28, about 220 lbs (down from a maximum of 275 several years ago). When I first started with MFP I was eating the number of calories it told me based on 2lbs/week weight loss, because I didn't really know any better -- so I was eating shy of 1,600 calories per day. I've since bumped that up to about 2,200 calories as my base intake, before exercise (I try to use an arc trainer for 30 minutes, 6 times per week, and estimate that at 300 calories; so I end up eating a total of about 2,500 calories per day).

I just calculated my BMR, and based on the calculators I used, my BMR is right around 2,200 calories, which is right about where I'm eating. I know now not to eat BELOW my BMR -- but am I going to run into similar effects if I eat right at my BMR? Should I be increasing my calorie intake a little bit more? It feels a little bit odd to me to be eating 2,500 calories per day and saying that I'm on a diet.

My weight is still going down, albeit a little more slowly than it was at first when I was eating 1,600 calories. Moreover, I feel a little better than when I was eating 1,600 calories -- I'm not getting cold nearly so easily, my concentration and mental focus seem to have improved a little bit, and I have more energy to work out in the morning and feel like I can push myself harder. I'm worried about my metabolism slowing down, though, if I'm too close to my BMR. Should I stick with where I'm at or consider upping it a little?