Revamping Goals: Need help with activity level selection

cookma423

Alright... I got a new tracker tonight (can't find my old running watch, so I went with something a little more multisport). Decided it's time to revamp a few of my goals, especially since I've been plateaued for a while.

First step: I need to decide what my activity level is for MFP. Here's what I've got
Exercise:

• 3-4 days week running
• 1-2 days cycling
• 1-2 days swimming
• Some days involve more than one exercise type

Work:

• Construction (mostly service calls and residential these days; read plenty of driving around)
• I usually get at least my 10 thousand steps, though, if not more.
• Work full shifts Mon, Weds, Fri, half-shift on Thur

School:

• 2 days per week.
• Tuesday: 4 hrs classroom sitting.
• Thursday: 1.5 hours classroom sitting.
• Studying during breaks

I generally sit and study in my off time, when I'm not exercising. That can be up to 6-8 hrs per day on weekends, 3-4 on weekdays. Not always that drastic, but it can be.

Me being the sadistic person I am, I want to set myself to sedentary and let the starve-fest begin. But, I figure I should see what other people think my activity level might be. It's probably healthier to adequately/correctly define my caloric intake needs.

Ok, any input? Thanks in advance!

Birddog6424

You are overthinking this.

Plug in active and go from there. If you have to adjust it a few weeks down the road you can.

pebble4321

Do you have an all-day-activity tracker - like a fitbit or apple watch?
If so, you can set your activity to sedentary and link your device so it adds more cals when you are more active.
Or you can set it at active but enable negative adjustments so it drops your cals when you are less active.
Either way will work.

If your tracker is only going to be used during activity, then I'd probably pick lightly active and add your exercise in, and then eat more on the days you are more active.

I agree with the post above though - just pick one, get started and make adjustments depending on your results in a few weeks time.

TavistockToad

light active and eat back exercise cals

cookma423

Birddog6424 wrote: »

You are overthinking this.

Plug in active and go from there. If you have to adjust it a few weeks down the road you can.

I do tend to over-think things, especially late at night when I should be sleeping. Thanks to everyone; I'll start with lightly active and see how it goes

trigden1991

If you want to lose weight quicker but potentially burn yourself out quicker, set it to sedentary. If you want a potentially more sustainable route, then set it to active.

Personally I would set it at lightly active and at 1lb loss a week. Best of both worlds.