how many calories?

ok, so I've been reading the different posts. 
I'm 8 months from surgery.  The last time I was at the NUT, she said I should be eating around 1000-1200 calories a day because I exercise like 4-5 times a week. 
But some of the posts I were reading, said that 1000-1200 is more like maintenance levels. 

So I wanted to get the overall consensus.  At 8 months out, how many calories were you guys eating? 

 I stayed at about 800 through most of my thirty month honeymoon period.  I had no appetite and most of my calories came from protein shakes.  Don't force yourself to eat extra calories because someone gave you a number.  You had surgery to take away your appetite and your capacity to eat.  Take advantage of your honeymoon period and enjoy watching the scale go down.

You will want more to eat soon enough.

but most days I am around 1000-1200.  at least i think so.  i usually have a greek yogurt smoothie for breakfast which is like 250-270 calories.   sometimes i have a protein bar as a snack and they are like 200 calories.  and the past few days i've had a ham and cheese sandwich on one of those flatbread things and that's like 250 calories.  and then dinner, i usually have either chicken or fish or shrimp, maybe 2 oz, and some veggies. so that's about 250-300 calories.  so where am i messing up??  :(  i want to maximize this tool the best way i can, i just don't know what i'm doing wrong.  thanks so much for all your help!!!

 depending on your exercise routine and ype of exercise you do your body will need more calories.  My goal should be around 2500 and somedays I have gone 4000.

but paul, you're way out, right?? 
i usually do zumba at least 2x a week, sometimes 3x for an hour.  and the other days are walking,  i do want to get into running, i just haven't figured out how to start yet.

i just know that i'm a slow loser.  i always had trouble losing to begin with, so i want to make sure i make the most of this. 

thanks for all your help!!!

Couch to 5K.  It's great for working you up to running.

 I will be 2 years in July and really stopped any real loss around 9 months.


The easiest place to start with running is to ummmmm get some shoes and do it!

Many people start with the C25K program which I failed at .

The key is to just put in an honest effort and push a bit more each time.  Find a 5K about 3 months out register for it and then train for it.  I have found that when people train with out really having a target they are heading towards they get side tracked, but having a target where they know on THIS DATE they will have to do it they will stay on track.

don't tell me that paul.  that means i have a hell of a lot to lose in a month. lol

i think you are right about having a goal.  that sounds like a good idea.  i need to look and see what's going in in a few months.  i do have a torn acl that acts up sometimes, so i don't know if i should take care of that first before i start.  it doesn't bother me on a daily basis, but sometimes after zumba it bothers me.

 never compare your progress to anyone elses.

1) I am a guy I will lose faster.
2) I have a pretty high RMR
3) I had complications my first 7 months and was pretty much on liquids and pureed diet for all but 3 weeks of those 7 months
4) I am a guy

1000-1200 doesn't sound off for someone 8 months out who exercises 4-5 times a week.  At 8 months out I was probably averaging around that range.  Perhaps 1200 is maintenence level for some people with low metabolisms, but I need at least 1800/day to maintain.  I excercise quite a bit too - yoga and running.