Increasing today and scared

Try to increase cals by some more for couple weeks and then see will you still maintain or gain. Our maintenance isn't really an exact specific number. Maybe you will be able to maintain on more calories as well. Increase your cals slowly, by 100 - 200 every week. If you gain a couple pounds after those few weeks you can always go back to maintenance, nothing to worry about.

73 pounds is very impressive. Congrats! ^^

Did you were in calorie deficit for whole 2.5 years? If not then good. If yes then no wonder that your hair and skin is messed up. Even small deficit for so long it not healthy.

Also make sure you ate enough fat. You should ate somewhere around 40 grams minimum, too low fat can cause hair loss and mess up your skin as well as cause many other hormone related problems. Making sure you get all daily vitamins is also a good idea. I like to use http://nutritiondata.self.com/ - simply search for all foods you ate daily and check % of Daily Value. You don't have to do this on regular basis but it's good to check foods you ate regularly to know if you are missing something.

What is the quality of your food like? Are you eating lots of nutrient-rich foods, or processed "diet" foods? A daily multivitamin isn't a bad idea, and make sure you're eating plenty of healthy fats like the others said.

I'm 5'3", 142. I've lost 46 pounds over the last 9 months. I have been in a deficit pretty much the whole time. I haven't lost over the last 6 weeks (well, up & down, but basically the same). I recently upped my calories to 1560, figuring if I wasn't going to lose I may as well get to eat more. I noticed major loss of hair volume a couple months ago. My doctor says it should work itself out within 6 months. I'm taking vitamins & biotin (for hair-skin-nails). I just ordered "the Bosley system" through my hairdresser. $45 for a 10 week supply, it's designed to thicken & regrow hair, plus keep it in the growth phase. I have been eating good, plenty of fat & protein. I think it's from being in a deficit for a prolonged period. I think your maintenance calories should be even higher than 1450. You need a break to get right. Up your calories, expect to gain a couple pounds initially, then your body should get used to it. Good luck!

what's your diet like? in addition to getting your calories, you need proper nutrients as well. are you eating enough dietary fat? also make sure you're getting your proper vitamins and minerals. do you eat meat? if not or don't eat much, you may also be B-12 deficient which is common with vegetarians and vegans and they generally have to supplement. B-12 deficiency can definitely lead to a serious lack of energy.

It sounds like you need vitamins and fats, maybe adding 100 calories of avocado and some multivitamins a week will help.

Ok so I have been on maintenance for a little while now (1450) and though I am not gaining or losing I think I may not be eating enough. My hair is brittle and losing it at a higher rate than normal, skin is dry and dull. Also just plain tired all the time. This all started before I reached goal, thought moving to maintenance would help. Maybe an increase and more "good" foods is the answer. Wish me luck!

All sounds like symptoms of hypothyroidism get it checked out.

you have an eating disorder. go live life. weight is not the most important thing in the world

You're assuming she has an eating disorder.

Seriously??? Not sure where you came up with that diagnosis Dr. but I applaud your abilities to diagnose a persons eating disorder using their stats only. Hooray for you smart a--.

That was (at best) a misguided comment towards you, but you got lots of good advice too. :flowerforyou: