Inputting steps - daily activity vs. inputting as exercise?

clicketykeys

So I'm not sure how to select my "daily activity level" because it varies a LOT. Some days I'll get to about 10k steps just from what goes on; other days it's barely 2. Most days it's around 6k from general activity, and then depending on what I've got to do after work and what the weather is like, I'll either go for a walk outside, go to the gym and do a combination of running and walking on the treadmill, or pace around inside the house to get to 10-12k steps.

I don't have a data plan, so my steps are (I think) based on a gyroscope, not on distance travelled. Here are my questions.

1. Which level should I select for daily activity?
2. If I don't have the treadmill measuring distance and speed, I know how long I've been walking and how many steps I have. Is there a way to put exercise in based on number of steps?

middlehaitch

Can you get an average of how many steps you take in a mile or km?
Or, walk a set distance and time it?

If so you can just enter your time walked through MFP
If you can't get either of those, estimate your exertion, and adjust depending on results.

I would probably use the sedentary in MFP, it allows for 3500 steps. As you are varied I think it would give you a better consistency.
Light activity is around 7000. This I think would have you having to be more conscious of getting steps in.

I'm a bit like you in everyday steps and found sedentary worked well.
I also don't use a digital device for a purposeful walk, just estimate my speed.

If I am doing a track walk, where I know the distance covered I use this formula.

(Weight x .3) x distance in miles = cals burnt.

ie: I weigh 100 and walked 2 miles.
(100 x .3) = 30
30 x 2= 60 cals burnt.
Hope that helps.

Cheers, h.