clsimpson - I think whether 1050 is too low depends on the person! I'm only 5ft 2 and if I ate 2000 a day, even at this weight I put on weight.
Personally I'm not too strict and vary between 1000 and 1200 a day, but if I eat more than 1200 I struggle to lose even 1lb a week, and thats with going swimming twice a week. If I'm not loosing about a 1lb a week I would lose motivation and think whats the point, especially because I'm still so far from goal.
As long as you're aware what you're doing and don't go too low for you I don't see a problem. Different things work for different people.
I definitely agree with you on the smaller meals though, it stops be being hungry, but also from being over full.
If I eat a larger meal now (say 400-500 cals plus) I then crave all the sweets and deserts that I used to eat regularly when I was stuffed to bursting, if I have a mini portion of whatever I fancy I don't have those cravings.