women maintaining at 2000 cal/day

I'm a 5' tall, 45 year old small framed woman, maintaining at 126#s on about 2000 cal per day.

I've been maintaining for about 2 weeks at this level. I'd like to hear from other women who are maintaining around that level or more.

If this is you, please tell me what your day is like, as in activity level, exercise etc.

I walk about 3 miles per day & weight training (compound lifts) 3 x weekly.
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Replies

  • tabicatinthehat
    tabicatinthehat Posts: 329 Member
    I'm jealous.
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    Actually, I'm set to gain .5 a week at 1970kcal per day. I think I'm going to up it to a straight 2000, though.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,268 Member
    I have been eating 2k a day for the last 6 weeks...lost 1.7lbs net...so my maitenance is 2137 apprently...

    I maintained on 2k for about 3 weeks then my weight started creeping down...

    my activity is lifting 3x a week 3x5 sets and I walk 1.5miles - 4miles 3-4x a week...

    My day is spent at a desk with multiple trips for water/bathroom breaks and manage about 5k steps, out and about at the house doing house work another 5k, I average about 13k steps a day including workouts.

    My food is pretty normal, regular bbq stuff, salads, some drinking, treats etc.

    edited for typo

    ETA: I am currently 151.5 and 5 ft 7 and 41 (almost 42)
  • BombshellPhoenix
    BombshellPhoenix Posts: 1,693 Member
    I'm 5'3.5" maintaining 120 lbs around my current intake of 2300ish. I'm trying to bulk though, so I'll probably be upping it a little.
  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    I'm 37, 5'4, 113-115 pounds and maintain on 2000. I'm pretty active though.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,147 Member
    Not intentionally maintaining (set to lose .5/week, yo-yoing 3# the past 4 months), but that's what's happening. :angry:

    5'1", 43y/o, 175#, very active (lots of walking daily).
  • swimmermama
    swimmermama Posts: 526 Member
    I'm 34 (when did that happen???), 5'8", about 125 lbs, maintaining around 2100 or so.

    I do strength training 3x a week and some cardio once or twice a week. I try to walk 20-30 minutes in the morning because I have a desk job all day. Bleh.
  • yankeedownsouth
    yankeedownsouth Posts: 717 Member
    I'm 5'7", 45 years old, 130 pounds. I'm maintaining at around 2000 calories a day or a bit more. I lift 3 times a week, one day of light to moderate steady state cardio, plus whatever activities I can cram into a weekend. Went kayaking for the first time last weekend!! :)
  • williams969
    williams969 Posts: 2,528 Member
    Me: 38yo, 5'6", 145lbs

    I'm still in weight loss mode (I think? Maybe switching to recomp next month when I gain access to free weights). Currently a "sedentary" person, with 3 hrs/wk of body weight training and 3hr/wk of cardio (mix of running, HIIT, walking--whatever I feel like doing).

    I estimate (based on my "way too deep analysis" spreadsheets) my maintenance at about 2000-2100 calories. Once I start the heavy lifting, I will reassess what my calorie needs are. I hope not too much different (I definitely don't want less...).
  • bciloveme2014
    bciloveme2014 Posts: 213 Member
    I am 5'7", 43, 147 and I had been in maintenance for almost 3 months eating 1920 to 2100 calories.I workout 3x per week and one day of pilates, I had been loosing little weight so this week I upped my calories to 2160.
  • xcalygrl
    xcalygrl Posts: 1,897 Member
    I'm 5'8, 25, and 180 pounds. I maintain pretty well on about 22-2300 a day.

    I lift 3 days a week, run 4-5 days (5ks), and do a long hike 1 day a week (12+ miles).
  • hookilau
    hookilau Posts: 3,134 Member
    Thanks everyone who replied so far!

    ...bumping for additional input :wink:
  • Zelinna
    Zelinna Posts: 207 Member
    I am 5'7 and 147 Lbs. I have been maintaining since November of 2013 at around 2400 calories. My actual daily intake varies between 1800 and 3000 depending on the day, but averages out to 2400.

    I try to do weights 3x a week and play roller derby 2x a week, plus daily dog walks of 30-50 minutes. I also try to throw in some HIIT workouts on my days off from lifting and derby, so that usually ends up being only once a week. I take weekends as rest days from working out, but usually end up doing some sort of activity.
  • husseycd
    husseycd Posts: 814 Member
    I'm 38, 5'5", and right around 130# (it fluctuates day to day). I maintain on 2100-2200 cal/day. I lift weights 3x/week, do some sort of aerial fitness 3-5 x/week and do other minor exercise a couple times a week--usually a walk or 30-45 min mountain bike ride or leisurely bike ride to the bar. :drinker:
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Well I'm much bigger than you are. 5'9" and 160lbs. I maintain at 2500 and lose at 2000 plus exercise calories. I have a desk job but am pretty active outside of working hours, cleaning, walking, chasing kids. I lift twice a week and try to mountain bike 1-2 times a week for 1+ hours.
  • sistrsprkl
    sistrsprkl Posts: 1,010 Member
    I'm 5'8", 34, and 150lbs. I've been (unintentionally) maintaining at around 2000 for a while. I do yoga twice a week, TRX once, and also do HIIT and weight machines. I have 2 small children so I'm running after them a lot as well.
  • fitandfortyish
    fitandfortyish Posts: 194 Member
    I'm 5'7", 46, 128 lbs and maintain at 1900 cals. I do about three hours of cardio a week (ride my bike to work) and do weights 3x per week
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    I'm 5'2", around 102 pounds, very small framed. I have my calories set at 1900, but need to go over that for my fluctuations in activity level.

    I usually walk at least 40 minutes most days, lift weights around 3 times a week usually, I'm on summer break with my kids for 2 months, but during the school year I dance part-time, teach/choreograph, and perform. During the summer I dance recreationally at least once a week. I swim and play with my kids. I enjoy activity.
  • essjay76
    essjay76 Posts: 465 Member
    Hi. I'm 4'10" 102 pounds and have been maintaining at an average of 2000 calories a day for the past three years. I initially lost 10 pounds in early 2011 when I first joined MFP.

    There are low and high days, of course, depending on my activity level.

    I am an avid runner and can burn anywhere from 500-800 calories a day, or sometimes 1000 calories a day on a long run.

    I run about 5-6 times a week (40-50 miles per week), 6-10 miles a day on the weekdays, 12-20 miles on the weekend, bike/mountain bike once a week, lots of walking. I'm usually training for some sort of endurance event like a marathon, etc.

    p.s. I also wear a FitBit and it's helped me tremendously in terms of maintaining. I trust the TDEE readings and averages.
  • Rogiefreida
    Rogiefreida Posts: 567 Member
    I eat about 2050-2100 calories a day average; have been eating there for about 2 months now and have a net gain of 0.5 pounds. I was aiming to do a cautious slow bulk to gain more muscle before I cut and compete next year but apparently I maintain at the level I thought I'd bulk at.

    I'm 31, 5'5" and 145 pounds , I run a chain of auto repair shops so I do a mix of desk work and running around in circles all day long and take between 7-10k steps a day. I also lift 4 times a week and sporadically do cardio (have lots of ankle issues so the cardio is real hit and miss).
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    5'10, 39, 132Ibs.
    I maintain between 2200 and 3000 calories a day.

    I take 5 x hour long boxing classes per week.
    I walk around 5-8 miles most days.
    I also cycle 2-4 hours a week and do some weights circuits/elliptical one day a week.
  • stuffinmuffin
    stuffinmuffin Posts: 985 Member
    Morning! I'm 5'3" and 109lb and maintain at around 2000 cals a day. I'm pretty active generally, I have a Fitbit and on average do about 15000 steps a day. I also work out about 5 times a week, varying from spinning, running, strength classes and HIIT.

    I also love my food so the more calories I have to eat the better! :) For events or ocassions when I need more calories I'll bank some from the week or a few days before. Generally I work to my weekly net calories rather than daily.
  • sola24
    sola24 Posts: 334 Member
    I am 5 feet and maintaining around 1600-2000 calories per day. it has been 6 months I am at 50-51kgs. I am not counting calories anymore and rely on my intuition. Do not exercise much except 4km walk for 5 days a week and occasional pilates and yoga. And small changes in lifestyle including avoiding junk and maintaining a overall healthy diet and active lifestyle.
  • aylajane
    aylajane Posts: 979 Member
    5'5", 130 lbs maintain/slowwww loss on about 2000-2100. Weight lifting heavy 2-3x a week, accessory work and some cardio/walking every day. I wear a fitbit and try to be sure it ends up at 2100-2300 calories burned for the day (without logging workouts or weightlifting - just from step counts). I aim for 18000 steps a day, taking about 4-5 mini walks through the day and sometimes a longer one in the evening.
  • BuoyantSoul
    BuoyantSoul Posts: 117 Member
    I'm a 38 year old woman, 5'8", 61.5 kg (136 lbs.) and maintaining at around 2100 calories a day.

    I do 40-60 mins. of HIIT 3x a week, and 25-60 mins. of intense circuit training with weights 3x a week, with one day of rest. Also, I am breastfeeding a toddler.

    I should mention that even though I'm maintaining my weight, currently I'm losing body fat and gaining muscle. At some point I expect to up my intake and start bulking, probably when I wean my son in a few months.
  • scrapjen
    scrapjen Posts: 387 Member
    I'm 43, 5'6" and just above 150. Still attempting to lose a little more (really, just want to be UNDER 150), but have been staying steady for months. My goal is to stick to 2000 calories a day, but it is hard for me (I'm usually a little over). I'm very active ... admittedly more quantity than quality (usually a couple hours of dedicated activity a day, an hour of zumba, three 20min elliptical sessions. I rarely stop and sit for long). According to my numbers (estimates for calories in/calories out) I should have had some losses (average burn via Fitbit is usually just under 3000 per day). While I record all my eats, I am not good at weighing and measuring food, and although I try to track burn with Fitbit and HRM, estimates can so easily be off.

    It's made me realize this has to be a lifestyle ... as I'm maintaining when I'm hoping to be losing. If/When I do get to goal weight, I can't let up, as what I'm doing now is just keeping me steady!

    http://jenbsjourney.blogspot.com/
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    45 and 5ft 2" - 134lbs
    and maintaining at 2000 :)
    jog 3 - 5 miles 5 days/week - I aim a total of 14000 steps (6 miles) a day between jogging and walking
    I swear by my Fitbit :-D
    plus 3 x strength training (30 mins) per week.
  • 60sPanda
    60sPanda Posts: 303 Member
    I am 5ft 5 - 143 Lbs (aged 46) and maintain at around 2,200 - 2,300 a day (averaged over a week).
    For exercise:
    Swim at least 5 times a week (normally front crawl, fairly fast, 45 minutes or more at weekends)
    3 hours of kung fu per week
    walk an average of 11,000 steps a day
  • michellemybelll
    michellemybelll Posts: 2,228 Member
    still trying to figure my maintenance out. but it's very encouraging to see other short, small framed women maintaining at ~2000 cal/day. I'm currently set to 1900 cal/day, but this week my average is coming out to ~2100. I run daily though (7-10 or so miles/day), and practice hot power yoga a few times a week. so i'm very active.

    oh, i'm also very short. 5'1", and weighing in around 106-108.

    Anyway, makes me happy to see i should be able to keep my intake at 2000 or so to maintain - assuming my activity remains the same-ish. i'll keep monitoring weekly and see what my weight does.
  • ourbabyblog
    ourbabyblog Posts: 6 Member
    Jealous you're all maintaing on more calories, I'm upping mine every week but 1500 seems to be my limit before I gain!