What is considered active? Calorie count question

bcarly42

I'm trying to figure out how many calories to consume a day in order to lose roughly 2 pounds a week. I don't know what would be considered lightly active, active, very active.
I work out 6 days a week between 30 and 60 active minutes on elliptical. On my off day, I am unlikely to get any active minutes or more than 1000 steps unless I need to run errands. During the 6 days of workout, I'm also cleaning, taking care of kids, cooking, running errands. I typically have 1-3 hours of sitting on those days.
Would you call that lightly active, active, or very active? They didn't have much definition for the terms. Also, should I increase my calorie intake when I'm more active given my goal (-2 pounds a week) or keep it at 1200-1500?

malibu927

Start with lightly active. Eat that amount plus at least a portion of your exercise calories (as that isn't included in MFP's activity level). Give yourself 4-6 weeks before you adjust anything.

megs_1985

I don’t count my intentional exercise in the activity as I add it in per day. I also chase my kids around etc and just put in lightly active. If I go for a walk or exercise I put that in. If you put in very active and add your intentional exercise I think it will be too much. Try it and if you are losing too quickly then change it.

bcarly42

Yeah friend of mine told me to keep at 1200 calories. That just didn't seem right. 1600 calories (lightly active) is much much better. I can live with that.

Jingsi84

It is a bit of trial and error but as I understand it your activity level setting doesn’t take into account working out. Given that you are running around all day, I would chose “lightly active” for your activity level. Then each day enter your workouts into MFP and eat back 50% of those calories. Women have to wait about 4 weeks to get a good idea of their average weekly weight loss (because weight loss isn’t linear and your TOM causes you to retain water) but once you know your average weight loss you can judge whether you need to eat more of your workout calories or change your activity level. Best of luck!

somrok

Do you have the Pacer App - it is free and measures your steps, including on the Elyptical.
It can sinc with MFP as well. It also gives you your activity level depending on your number of steps accomplished.