I'm a teacher, what should I choose for activity level?

mufamuscles
mufamuscles Posts: 57
in Getting Started
I'm a MS/HS teacher - spend all of my class periods (~ 3.5 hr/day) on my feet, standing or walking; rest of the day is a fair amount of sitting interspersed with walking around the school and up/downstairs. I have MFP set to sedentary now. Is that accurate? (I exercise but I don't want to include that in my activity level, I would rather do it manually.

Thank you :)

Replies

  • RedCell24
    RedCell24 Posts: 1 Member
    The light activity choice is the right one. It has teacher, nurse etc. I also teach and it gives me the best baseline for the rest of my activities.
  • mufamuscles
    mufamuscles Posts: 57
    Thank you!
  • Erinwhite924
    Erinwhite924 Posts: 1 Member
    I'm a high school teacher too, but I have sedentary because I would rather err on the side of caution since there are days when I am sitting more than others. You may also want to consider something like a Fitbit. That makes it even easier!
  • chemteacher1987
    chemteacher1987 Posts: 68 Member
    I put lightly active because I am always running around my classroom. And I am a little crazy so I jump around a lot LOL. I think I burn more calories teaching than I do walking LOL
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Sedentary means sitting down and as you point out you are standing up for a good proportion of the day. Lightly active makes sense.

    And you are also correct that exercise isn't part of your activity level when you follow the MFP method.

    Just remember that the numbers just give you a starting point so be prepared to make adjustments based on your actual results after a period of time.
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    Very few people are truly sedentary. No teacher fits in that category - lightly active at minimum!
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Achrya/view/so-you-think-you-re-sedentary-615604


    Researchers at Arizona State University have established baseline activity levels based on the number of steps taken each day. People who take fewer than 5,000 steps are considered to be sedentary or inactive. Those who take 5,000 to 7,499 steps daily have a low active lifestyle. Somewhat active people usually take 7,500 to 9,999 steps per day. People considered to be active take 10,000 or more steps per day.
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/171629-how-many-steps-per-day-to-lose-weight/
  • bwogilvie
    bwogilvie Posts: 2,130 Member
    I'd start with lightly active. But after a month, if you're not losing at the rate you want, and you're being as accurate as possible with your food log, then change to sedentary.
  • mufamuscles
    mufamuscles Posts: 57
    Thank you all so much for responding! I should increase to light activity.

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