Use Step Calories.... or not?

masdec7

I've been debating with myself lately about should I use my step calories or not? For starters, I rarely go above 6,000 steps (have a desk job), even when I'm trying to get more steps. I have to use my phone so "exercies" steps outside of walking never get added. Also, the majority of my steps really don't raise my heart rate enough to be truely cardio activity.

All that being said, should I even include the calories that MFP gives me for steps into my exercise? I do post other non-step exercise as I do it. If I don't incorporate the steps from the step counter, I would then be more deliberate in charting specific walks meant to be for cardio exercise instead of just letting them be part of the steps. I'm always afraid of overstating my exercise calories when logging steps and walking exercises separately so I've been letting all walks be part of steps.

I've set my calorie goal to be as close to what my goal weight maintenance calories should be so I won't have to make major adjustments when I get to maintenance. I've decided to eat for the weight I want, not the weight I have. I know this will make my weight loss slower, but I'm more for long term success than immediate big results.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

puffbrat

Personally, I don't. Like you, I rarely go above 6000 steps without deliberate exercise, and I figure when I do it is still probably negligible calories. I just add deliberate exercise, including walking, when I actually do it.