How do I gauge my activity level?

jayjay3251

Currently, I work two days a week at a hospital where I work 12hr shifts and am constantly running and doing heavy lifting. I go to school two days a week, but mostly am sitting during lectures and activities. Three days a week I am home with online classes. I run 30mins 3x per week. When I am home and not exercising I am pretty sedentary aside from light activity with house work and 5min walks outside with my dog here and there.
How would you gauge my activity level?
Sedentary
Lightly Active
Active
Very Active

In about a month, I will be switching to full time. Everything will be the same as before with the exception of the fact that I will be at work three days a week instead of two. What would my activity level be then?

kgeyser

I was going to try to write out an explanation of how to figure it out, but just read these instead:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

cwolfman13

Your MFP activity level is just supposed to be your day to day hum drum...it does not include exercise; MFP is a NEAT method (Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis) calculator.

You're supposed to log exercise when you perform it and then get those calories to eat back. Just go by the descriptors and make your best guestimate and make adjustments as necessary per real world results. If you want to include your exercise in your activity level you should use a TDEE calculator and then manually customize your goals here.