Determining activity level

Mokapally

some background: I've been using MFP for about a year now. Originally, I inputted my activity level as "sedentary," which put me on 1450 calories.

Originally, this worked very well. I lost about 25 pounds.

I am now at the point where, I do my exercise (20 minutes on the stair climber, 45 minutes spinning, 45 minutes swimming) daily. (I've temporarily halted weight lifting because of carpal tunnel/tendinitis problems in my left wrist.). I walk anywhere between 7k to 11k steps daily.

When I stick to 1450 calories, I gain weight! But when I eat back about 200 exercise calories, I lose weight!

Do I need to alter my activity level (from sedentary to lightly active) or just eat back my exercise calories? Feedback is appreciated.

BWBTrish

When you gain weight you eat too much calories

Do you weigh your food on a food scale?
How much did you gain ( it can be water weight / fluctuation)

Mokapally

All of my food is weighed and measured. I gain about 2 lbs. water intake is the same day to day.

BWBTrish

due to over training or changing training you can hold on some water too
And measuring what do you measure

Can you open your diary?

Mokapally

And: no. My situation is precisely as described. When I stick to 1450 calories, I gain weight. When I hit 1650 calories, I lose weight (approx 0.5 to 1lb per week). My thought was perhaps that I was unintentionally putting my body I starvation mode? So I wanted to check with others who are also on this weight loss journey.

BWBTrish

Starvation mode is a myth

But do you weigh ALL your food on a food scale So not measuring cups.

I think your gaining is more a fluctuation

But like i said people can help you here when they also see your diary.

RoxieDawn

Mokapally wrote: »

And: no. My situation is precisely as described. When I stick to 1450 calories, I gain weight. When I hit 1650 calories, I lose weight (approx 0.5 to 1lb per week). My thought was perhaps that I was unintentionally putting my body I starvation mode? So I wanted to check with others who are also on this weight loss journey.

OP, you can open your diary just for this thread.. The MFP community can respond with better answers instead of guessing what may be the issue..

Other than that, I (we have to presume) logging inaccuracies and over estimation of calorie burns.. It can be one or the other or both..

Since you are sticking to your guns on not sharing your diary... suggested reading:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/833026/important-posts-to-read/p1

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-sep-by-step-guide

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/872212/youre-probably-eating-more-than-you-think/p1

sijomial

Your job hasn't changed so no reason to change your activity level.
Activity level isn't anything to do with your intentional exercise.

Must wonder why if you have found something that works (1650 cals/day) why don't you just stick to that?
Maybe that extra 200 cals makes you feel more energetic and you move more? In the end the reasons hardly matter - what matters is results.

Mokapally

Hmmm... Actually, my job did change (I got a promotion and am on my feet 6 out of 8 hours now; before the promotion, I was I in my chair 8 hours a day).