Daily calorie goal question

melsetsy

I work in the construction industry (I sand and install hardwood floors), I am female, 5'4" and weigh 160...I'm looking to lose 30 lbs. When I set up my daily calorie goals I chose "very active"(which allows me 1490 calories losing 2 lbs. a week), but not every day is physically demanding. Should I set it as sedentary (which gives me only 1200 calories a day losing only 1 lb a week), then track carpentry and eat back those calories on busy days instead? I've done this before using the "very active" setting and had no problems losing the weight (25 lbs. in 6 months). I also do HIIT 3-5 times a week for 20 minutes or more. Just wondering what others would do?

malibu927

You may be better off selecting active and a pound a week, or purchasing an activity tracker to help you keep track of what you burn (though that will be mostly through walking/running).

rankinsect

Two pounds a week is likely too much for you - in general a good rule of thumb for how aggressive you can go is not more than 1% body weight per week on average. Since you're under 200 lb, you'd be losing less than 2 lb/wk.

ncboiler89

melsetsy wrote: »

I work in the construction industry (I sand and install hardwood floors), I am female, 5'4" and weigh 160...I'm looking to lose 30 lbs. When I set up my daily calorie goals I chose "very active"(which allows me 1490 calories losing 2 lbs. a week), but not every day is physically demanding. Should I set it as sedentary (which gives me only 1200 calories a day losing only 1 lb a week), then track carpentry and eat back those calories on busy days instead? I've done this before using the "very active" setting and had no problems losing the weight (25 lbs. in 6 months). I also do HIIT 3-5 times a week for 20 minutes or more. Just wondering what others would do?

Underestimate your daily activity, eat to your calorie goal and reassess after about six weeks or so. It would suck to overestimate and waste several weeks. I agree with the poster who said two weeks may be too much - but that has nothing to do with your question

Kalikel

Set it to Lightly Active, don't record movement done at work, but do record any exercise done for the purpose of doing exercise (like walking, swimming, running, gym machines, etc.)

Yi5hedr3

Yes- sedentary, 1 lb/week, max. You be good!

melsetsy

Thank you everyone for your feedback! I have readjusted it to lightly active at 1 lb a week, which allows me 1470 calories a day at a 1.5 lb weight loss per week. I'll reassess in a few weeks.