To think that women don't actually need 2000kcal a day

When mine were preschoolers/young primary, I walked everywhere, often pushing a pushchair. Would easily do 1.5 miles each way in the morning for a toddler group, then fit in as much cleaning as possible during the nap, before doing another 1.5 miles each way to the big park to see the ducks. Or a nearer park but running around with a football or between equipment, or after a scooter/bike once they were on those.

We moved house when DC2 was about to join Reception and it was too far from the primary school to walk/bike. I gained a stone in a few months. Put it down to having to drive more.

If my weight crept up in my 30s, I could just stop snacking and it dropped back quite quickly.

Now I'm mid-40s and it takes work (in my usual routine) to lose weight if clothes start to feel tight. At a rough guess, I'd say 2,000 calories was about right for me in the past, but probably need less now. Though I also often joke that I'm the only person I know who loses weight on holiday. Divorced with two teens who like active holidays, so I have to try to keep up! All the steps around the campsite plus stuff like Go Ape and water parks/inflatable obstacle courses means I usually drop a couple of pounds despite holiday eating!

I think it's really easy to underestimate what you're eating and overestimate how active you are.

I was slim in my youth but these days I’d describe myself as ‘a bit tubby’. My BMI is 26 so a bit overweight. If I stick to 800 cals a day I can lose about 1.5lb a week but I can sustain it. After a couple of weeks I’ll eat normally for a day or two and it’s all immediately back on. There’s always a wedding/birthday/holiday/meal out every month that undoes the good work.

I have lost 2 stone but it’s taken 3 years of constant dieting. If I stop dieting now I’d put it back on in 3 months. It’s a miserable existence.

Depends how big the bowl but that would be about 350 calories for a small bowl.

You just get used to checking everything/knowing roughly what calories food contains!

I wish more people would understand this.

I guesstimate. I'd probably weigh the oats and measure the milk the first time, when using my 'standard' amount. Of course it'll vary slightly but that's not a problem.

That's right. I'm short and my daily calorie intake required to mantain my weight is 1500 calories. Overall, I don't eat much. I tried to eat less than this in order to lose weight, but all I got was headaches. The key was strength training - increase your muscle mass in order to burn more.

I don't really know how many calories I consume or how many I need, because I've never been overweight so I've never bothered checking.

But all bodies are different with different metabolisms.

I wonder if it's too many for some people because they drive everywhere, or WFH at a desk all day?

Either way if it's too many for you, don't take any notice of it.

Agreed. I'd gain weight on 2,000 a day (or anything over 1,600).

How do you calculate how many you even eat? Do you have to fiddle about weighing everything?
I've had a bowl of oats+milk+sugar+fruit for breakfast. I have no idea how many calories it is.

I agree with the point OP has made, which is that the always cited 'adult woman needs 2000 cals daily' is so generalised as to be almost completely meaningless! Most of us aren't 'average' either in terms of height, weight, activity levels etc. I think perhaps there needs to be a rider for this statement, which you see expressed everywhere, but particularly above the nutrition chart on packaged food. But what food manufacturer is going to put 'your nutrition needs will vary depending on your weight, height, age, sex and activity levels, please consult a TDEE calculator for more information' on their chocolate bar packaging?

I'm currently trying to lose weight and going by what I've seen on the weight loss boards here, I should be aiming to eat 500 cals less daily than my TDEE (or 3500 cals fewer over the week) which is BLOODY HARD. Going on the TDEE calculation, I need to be on 1000 a day, which I'm finding pretty hard to adapt to. (I'm short and currently sedentary as I have chronic sciatica which sometimes makes even short walks impossible.) I downloaded MyFitnessPal and it actually thinks I should be aiming at 1200. Confusing. I'm trying to land somewhere between and managing most days. I'm eating a lot of salad and vegetables and eggs, and have pretty much cut out white processed carbs for the moment. I'm pretty fed up and I don't think this is really very sustainable long-term.

I eat 2000 cal a day to maintain my weight whilst exclusively breastfeeding, walking 20k+ plus steps a day, running 4 times a week (35k-40k a week). I am also 165 cm tall (which of course makes a difference). So no, I don't think most women need 2000 calories. If you are physically very active, taller etc. then yes. If I ate 2000 a day as a 165cm 52 kg woman in my late 20s without my level of activity I would absolutely gain weight.

It is an average. Some will need more or less.

I do. And I’m not over weight.

Your correct the guidelines are out of date for many of us with sedentary jobs.

I spent quite a while wondering why I wasn't losing weight when everything was weighed out etc. Turns out because I only burn 1500-1600 calories a day so dropping to 1500 calories made zero difference.

Since wearing a fitbit and working out deficit I have lost 3 stone (also 1200 calories) and it's stayed off. Its no longer a diet to me just how I eat to stay healthy and now at a maintain level of 1500.

I eat this much. I'm average height and probably averagely active though (7-9000 steps a day).

I don’t count calories or no how many I need but one thing I do know is in my 50’s I need a gem of a lot less than in my 30’s however much movement I do/dont do.

Oh good. Another woman bashing thread.

Listen up all you hussies! Remember that you have to be thin and hot (if you can possibly help it). You have a duty here and don't you dare be selfish, or something.

/sarcasm

@Croissantsfordinner YANBU OP - all women do not need to eat 2000 calories a day, but this is an average figure, so there will be women who lead very active, physical lives who need to eat more than that, and women who lead very sedentary lives (like me!) who don't.
I know that many people wouldn't want to count calories, but I've been using the "Myfitnesspal" app (other apps are available!) to record my daily intake for almost six years now and all those years of data have shown me that I can routinely eat no more than 1,700 calories per day if I don't want to gain weight. Eating 1,200 - 1,400 calories per day I lose weight easily, 1,400 - 1,700 per day and I can maintain my weight, but more than 1,700 per day and I'll put on weight (I have a tiny friend who can't eat more than 1,500 calories per day unless she dramatically increase her activity levels). I've found (honestly!) recording my calorie intake every day has been incredibly useful as it's personal to me and my metabolism. It's also taught me that I don't need to stress about having treats e.g. I went out to lunch yesterday and I'm having a cream tea this afternoon, but I'll control my calorie intake for the rest of this week and won't put on weight. 😃

Exceptionally slim, or just slim? No food is worth the extra fat on my body, and all the issues that come with it. I am exceptionally vain though, I suppose, because I like knowing that I can wear anything and look good in it, so there’s that I guess.

But no, I’d hate to put on weight. These joints won’t be young and strong forever, and I’d rather keep them healthy for as long as I can. And obesity increases the risk of cancer, and I’d rather do what I can to Not get cancer!

It’s honestly going to depend on age, muscle and activity level. I can absolutely tell you my body is very happy maintaining weight at around 1000 -1200 cals. If I ate 2000 cals I’d put on weight.

For your average woman, 2000kcal a day is far too much. You’d have to be either very tall or very active (or both) to need that amount, and it really is a lot.
I am not very tall, and 15-1600kcal a day is perfectly adequate for me to maintain my weight. If I ate 2000kcal a day I’d end up being wider than I am tall!

It's completely generalised. You need to calculate your personal BMR to work out your required calorie intake to maintain or lose weight.

It’s just an average which depends on multiple factors. The actual amount will depend on the woman.

I agree. A 16 year old male who is growing and developing needs 2500-3000 even if he doesn’t do any kind of exercise. That’s to maintain his growth and development. An adult woman only needs 1200 to maintain her weight if she is of average height and weight (average of course changes according to many factors). It’s individual. If a woman is 5’1” and weighs 8 stone and isn’t doing much manual labour or exercise, then 1200 is plenty. A larger woman who runs daily or works in a physical job will need up to 2000.

thanks I'll go find that!

I have actually no idea what I get through in a day as I've never tracked calories. I just eat when I fancy it, but I like to eat well and am not greedy. I think I'm lucky as I see food as a pleasure and also fuel, don't use it as a emotional crutch and stop when I'm satisfied. Simplicity is key, we know if we are eating too much by using a mirror. The whole diet/health/fitness industry is thriving as people overcomplicate things.