[bizymomma]

I was curious myself so I did a lil research and I found this on health network:

How many calories do I need?

If you do not have access to a metabolic measurement, you can use an equation to estimate your basic calories. The most accurate one is the Mifflin-St. Joer equation. Weight in pounds must be converted to kilograms by dividing weight in pounds by 2.2. Height must be changed to centimeters by multiplying inches by 2.54. Plug your height and weight into the basic equation:

9.99 x weight + 6.25 x height - 4.92 x age.

Men then add 5; women subtract 161.

The total is your approximate calories per day for resting metabolic rate. The RMR for a 40-year-old man who weighs 190 lbs and is 6'1" is 1800 calories per day. A 25-year-old woman who is 5'6" and 140 pounds has a basic calorie requirement of 1380. Because the equation is not completely accurate, real RMR may be slightly lower or higher.

In addition to the RMR calories, each person needs additional calories for daily activities and exercise. A sedentary person will need fewer calories than an active person.

According to this equation a healthy amount of calories for myself at 177 lbs 5'4" and 31 years old is 1668 calories a day - I do try to keep it down to 1200, but I couldnt imagine 400 calories or less, I wouldnt even have the energy to pick up my water bottle.........