hi Paul,

4500 calories is an awful lot especially if you are not very active.

The 10 times body weight gueidelin for calories is just that...a guide. It tends to be less relevant the heavier you are and also at the very light extremes.

I know this is all very confusing, and the advice is conflicting but the trouble is every person is different and what works for one may not work for ithers.

My suggestion is to cut back on quantity to around 2800 cals, and heed Dr A's advice of only eating when hungry. he also says not to stuff yourself, and only eat until you don't feel hungry anymore.

Keep plugging away and I'm sure you will find the solution which works

Lesley