Activity levels

comptonelizabeth

I've just read the hard gainer post which is really helpful but has left me wondering if I should change my recorded activity level?
I've always been slim (and this is now compounded by chronic illness )My father was too so I've often thought there might be a genetic element.
I recorded myself as being lightly active because right now my goal is to gain weight so I'm not doing much in the way of exercise. But, I work from home as a massage therapist which is hard work ! (Especially when you guys come in wanting wanting deep tissue massage after a workout -lol). I'm also one of those people who rarely sits still. Our house has 3 flights of stairs and I go up and down them several times a day, plus I walk the dog a couple of times a day. Even when relaxing, I'm foot tapping.
Should I reset it to a higher activity level ?

TavistockToad

Keep it as it is, watch the scale and add cals as necessary

comptonelizabeth

Thank you

RoxieDawn

Lightly active..

dillmilk

I've been wondering this as well. What defines activity level as light, moderate, and high? I hit the gym three times a week but don't do any cardio. I go to school and climb flights of stairs between classes. On the weekends I like to go hiking or walk around downtown. I've set my activity level to moderate but it seems like a lot of calories.

BinaryPulsar

It depends on the person. Mfp always sets my calories too low. I figured out my own maintenance calories through various calculations and trial and error. I set mine above the highest activity level. Even when I am not active. I'm also a person that moves around a lot. If I eat what mfp would set for me I would be emaciated.

comptonelizabeth

Thanks both. I agree the calorie is set too low -I always exceed it with very little effort. I think I'll reset to moderate. I'm happy to gain fat at this stage!

comptonelizabeth

OK, I've reset it to active and the calorie goal now looks more realistic. I seriously doubt I'd have gained weight on 1900!

TavistockToad

comptonelizabeth wrote: »

OK, I've reset it to active and the calorie goal now looks more realistic. I seriously doubt I'd have gained weight on 1900!

You should be changing your rate of gain to get more calories, not activity level?

comptonelizabeth

Well I think it's a more accurate reflection of my activity levels so the calorie level is now more realistic?
My rate of gain is .5 kgs per week - it was set by the app so I'm assuming that's the recommended rate.
Another thing is my protein levels are set to 110 - I only weighed 51 kgs at the start so that's quite high? I'm more or less achieving it with protein shakes but still seems high

TavistockToad

comptonelizabeth wrote: »

Well I think it's a more accurate reflection of my activity levels so the calorie level is now more realistic?
My rate of gain is .5 kgs per week - it was set by the app so I'm assuming that's the recommended rate.
Another thing is my protein levels are set to 110 - I only weighed 51 kgs at the start so that's quite high? I'm more or less achieving it with protein shakes but still seems high

So you're not logging your exercise separately if you're using activity level instead?

I easily get over 100g protein in 1650 cals, so 110 doesn't seem unreasonable out of 1900?

You want roughly 0.8g of protein per pound of bodyweight

comptonelizabeth

I do log exercise, yes,though at the moment my goal is just weight gain so I'm not working out.
Thanks -I think I'm around 117 pounds so probably the protein levels are correct!
Sorry - I'm new to this!

comptonelizabeth

OK right - I get it now. I need to log all activities - even leisurely walking.
Thanks - that's really helpful

BinaryPulsar

comptonelizabeth wrote: »

OK right - I get it now. I need to log all activities - even leisurely walking.
Thanks - that's really helpful

Different people do it differently. I found it easier to set an overall TDEE based on all of my activity level. That way I can eat about the same amount each day, and eat when I eat (not wait for logging my exercise). I still log my exercise in order to keep track of my activity level and exercise.

comptonelizabeth

Yeah - in the end I guess it's the same result. I agree it's simpler to just reset the activity level but on the other hand that may not work if I have a lazy day! I suffer from a condition which means some days I can't do much beyond moving from bed to sofa

BinaryPulsar

comptonelizabeth wrote: »

Yeah - in the end I guess it's the same result. I agree it's simpler to just reset the activity level but on the other hand that may not work if I have a lazy day! I suffer from a condition which means some days I can't do much beyond moving from bed to sofa

I understand. I have a medical issue. And also a dancer. My activity level varies widely now. But, for some reason it still works for me. Weight gain is different from weight loss. I am on maintenance now, but more focused on preventing weight loss than worrying about weight gain. Edit to add: I keep my own range in my mind. So, on lower activity days I eat 1950 to 2000 calories, and up to 2300 on high activity days. I'm 5'2, weigh 102, 38 years old (giving my stats for context).

comptonelizabeth

Thank you;that's helpful. Sorry to hear you have medical issues too.
I guess with time I'll find it easier to track things in my head!