Defining "Exercise"

sunandskies

For the TDEE calculators they ask how many times a week you exercise, but don't really go into detail about what they consider exercise to be.
I'm not sure if they're picturing a 5 mile run or a 20 minute bike ride or two hours of lifting or what when they ask how many times/week I exercise. I just feel like there's a huge margin for error there, for some people walking two miles might be considered a day's exercise, whereas I call that my unfortunate work commute 2 days out of the week.
I'm personally doing 5-6 days a week of HIIT or circuit training for 20-40 minutes, I'm just not sure where I should fall in their "light/moderate/heavy" exercise levels.

bizco

According to this TDEE calculator you are between moderate and heavy. A workout should last around 30 minutes of moderate to high intensity. I would start with moderate level, follow that for at least one month before making adjustments.

http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/tdee-calculator.html

sunandskies

Thanks! I was just afraid of overestimating. If they were picturing me spending an hour at the gym 5-6 times a week they'd be much mistaken. Half hour moderate - high is much more realistic.