Am I doing this right?

pistachiopeas

Hi everyone,
I'm really inspired by this community. You all make me believe that if I do what you are doing I can get there too. After reading a few posts in the "read this first" section. I am curious if MFP is setting my calories too low at 1200? I mean, I can certainly force myself to stick to 1200, but my concern is doing the program right. I am currently 148 lbs and 5'2, 32 year old female. My activity level is fairly low - I am a graduate student, so I am sitting at my desk writing (haha, ideally) all day. I do take my dog for at least a 2 mile walk once a day, at a pace of 3.3-4 mph. Right now, I am trying to up that, for example, yesterday, we walked a total of 4.8 miles at a 3.5 mph pace. My goal is to walk at least 3 miles a day with the dog, and also start my C25K, doing it 3 times per week. (I did it last spring and made it to the 5th week but stopped). I also want to do some weight lifting at home 3 times per week. I can do Jillian Michaels DVDs, or go to Barre/Pilates classes once in awhile but I am going to start with the walking/c25k/weights combo.
So, I am confused about what to set as my activity level. I would really appreciate any advice!

pistachiopeas

So, actually, I just decided to join the 30 day shred group starting April 1st. If I am doing that every day (approx 20 mins of circuit training) and also walking my dog between 2-3 miles every day, but my work is sitting at a desk, what should I enter for my activity level? And should I put that I am exercising 7 times a week for 20 minutes or should I include the walks with my dog that are between 45-60 minutes? I'm sorry if this post is in the wrong place! I would love some advice.

Hi everyone,
I'm really inspired by this community. You all make me believe that if I do what you are doing I can get there too. After reading a few posts in the "read this first" section. I am curious if MFP is setting my calories too low at 1200? I mean, I can certainly force myself to stick to 1200, but my concern is doing the program right. I am currently 148 lbs and 5'2, 32 year old female. My activity level is fairly low - I am a graduate student, so I am sitting at my desk writing (haha, ideally) all day. I do take my dog for at least a 2 mile walk once a day, at a pace of 3.3-4 mph. Right now, I am trying to up that, for example, yesterday, we walked a total of 4.8 miles at a 3.5 mph pace. My goal is to walk at least 3 miles a day with the dog, and also start my C25K, doing it 3 times per week. (I did it last spring and made it to the 5th week but stopped). I also want to do some weight lifting at home 3 times per week. I can do Jillian Michaels DVDs, or go to Barre/Pilates classes once in awhile but I am going to start with the walking/c25k/weights combo.
So, I am confused about what to set as my activity level. I would really appreciate any advice!