What would you say my activity level is?

_lyndseybrooke_

I'm using Scooby's site to figure out what my TDEE is. So, as most of you already know, my options are:

1. Desk job with little exercise
2. 1-3 hrs/week of light exercise
3. 3-5 hrs/week of moderate exercise

...let's just stop there, because I don't work out for more than 5 hours per week.

I do have a desk job, so I sit for most of the day with a little bit of walking around. I do a very short spurt of bodyweight exercises right before I eat lunch just because it makes me feel better about sitting on my tush all day. I'm not super active at home in the evenings either.

My Workouts
MWF - Heavy Lifting Days - I'm working for one solid hour including a 10-minute cardio warm-up (a combination of very light stretching and cardio moves like jumping jacks, butt kickers, high knees, burpees, etc. - 30 second intervals, no rest) and a 7-minute cool-down and stretch (semi-Yoga inspired, 30-second holds). I'm currently doing 5x5.
TTh - Cardio Days - I use Fitness Blender videos, so I exercise for 30-35 minutes on videos listed to burn a minimum of 200-260 calories.
SatSun - I try to get in a walk with my dog, but I wouldn't call that cardio.

So, with option 1, my TDEE is 1714. With option 2, it's 1964. With option 3, it's 2214.

My average gross intake when averaged over the week is usually around 1700-1750 and I lose roughly .5 lb/week. I'm nearly at goal, so I'm slowly raising my calories 100 at a time to see what my "real" TDEE is (really hoping it's not under 2000 calories), so I'm just wondering what YOU would put as your activity level if your activity was like mine.

(Just as a side note, I ate an average of around 2100 calories a couple weeks ago and "gained" .8 lb. I'm guessing/hoping it's just water and will be gone when I weigh in on Saturday, but I thought I'd mention it.)

NOTE: I know that these calculators are just an estimate, but don't give me that, "just do what works for you" speech. Just tell me what YOU would put there. I know these numbers are not exact.

JoRocka

Sounds a lot like my week...

And this is my issue with these as well- I work out hard 3-4 times a week plus dance training- which varies wildly- so I always do sedentary and add my own exercise manually back in (defeats the point of this I know)

But I like the control and flexibility.

It stresses some people out.

I hate the fact it's 1-3 light exercise- why isn't it 1-3 hours of intense exercise?

That's totally illogical to me.

Anyway- to answer the question- I'd probably pick 3- it makes more sense since if you are really on a lifting program and you're busting you butt- you're doing "moderate" (pfftta- probably more than that- but whatever)... not sure why intensity is tied to duration.

I see that as a severe flaw in the system.

My maintenance for my size/activity was around 2000- or just under- like 1800 or so.

With exercise it should be around 2500-2800.

_lyndseybrooke_

Thanks JoRocka.

Anyone else have an opinion?

KarenJanine

I would go with option 3 as your workouts do not sound 'light'.

vegwrangler

Why can't there be an option 4 for bad *kitten* like you :-)?

I vote 3 as well.

KarmaLaine

It looks like you've been eating around 1500-1800/day - have you been losing? If I stay between 1600 to 1800 +exercise, I tend to get where I'm going.

I've been about the same size as you, and judging by your profile pic, you're already in pretty good shape. The last 5lb will be very slow. You're likely to get more bang from looking at your macros.

_lyndseybrooke_

It looks like you've been eating around 1500-1800/day - have you been losing? If I stay between 1600 to 1800 +exercise, I tend to get where I'm going.

I've been about the same size as you, and judging by your profile pic, you're already in pretty good shape. The last 5lb will be very slow. You're likely to get more bang from looking at your macros.

I eat 1500-1600 M-F and 1800-2500 on weekends, so it averages out to be about 1700 gross, 1550 net. I have been losing, yes. My goal is to get the last 5 lbs off in the next 8ish weeks, but it's fine if I don't. No big deal. I'm more interested in how my body looks than some arbitrary number on a scale. I just don't plan on eating at maintenance until I reach 130, or maybe even 125 depending on how I feel at 130. I already pay attention to my macros. My protein is always as high or higher than my goal and I usually get pretty close to my carb and fat macros.

willrun4bagels

I have found the TDEE calculator on IIFYM.com to be more accurate for me based on my daily intake vs. weight lost over a measured period of time. The Scooby calculatur puts my TDEE slightly higher than it is. Also, on IIFYM.com's calculator, the way you input your exercise is different. Instead of picking a range of hours of exercise that fits your lifestyle, you put in the number of days per week that you work out (regardless of type of exercise, I guess). I lift heavy 3x week (also doing 5x5), and do one day of cardio (usually sprint intervals outside. I'm really begining to loathe cardio). I put in my weekly exercise as "3 times per week" to be conservative. It's worked really well for me. My current TDEE based on my results is 2747, and I eat anywhere between 2350-2450 cals a day and lose every week. IIFYM gives me a TDEE of 2713, and Scooby says it's 2881 (I put 3-5 hrs exercise as I lift for 3 hrs week, do cardio for like 30 minutes, and stay active on other days by walking the dogs).

KarmaLaine

It looks like you've been eating around 1500-1800/day - have you been losing? If I stay between 1600 to 1800 +exercise, I tend to get where I'm going.

I've been about the same size as you, and judging by your profile pic, you're already in pretty good shape. The last 5lb will be very slow. You're likely to get more bang from looking at your macros.

I eat 1500-1600 M-F and 1800-2500 on weekends, so it averages out to be about 1700 gross, 1550 net. I have been losing, yes. My goal is to get the last 5 lbs off in the next 8ish weeks, but it's fine if I don't. No big deal. I'm more interested in how my body looks than some arbitrary number on a scale. I just don't plan on eating at maintenance until I reach 130, or maybe even 125 depending on how I feel at 130. I already pay attention to my macros. My protein is always as high or higher than my goal and I usually get pretty close to my carb and fat macros.

I think you're doing great then! If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? :-)

froeschli

TDEE is an adjustment thing, right?
So I'd vote for option 2, and then adjusting your goal calories after a few weeks when you see how you are doing. If you're losing too much or are too hungry, up them, if you are not losing enough, take a bit off.
But, as others have said, why change things now, if what you were doing is working?

(Technically you can probably calculate your current TDEE going backwards - adding all the calories you consumed, plus 3500 per pound you lost over a week, then divide that whole number by 7 - oh, and don't subtract any exercise calories)

_lyndseybrooke_

TDEE is an adjustment thing, right?
So I'd vote for option 2, and then adjusting your goal calories after a few weeks when you see how you are doing. If you're losing too much or are too hungry, up them, if you are not losing enough, take a bit off.
But, as others have said, why change things now, if what you were doing is working?

(Technically you can probably calculate your current TDEE going backwards - adding all the calories you consumed, plus 3500 per pound you lost over a week, then divide that whole number by 7 - oh, and don't subtract any exercise calories)

As I said, I'm 5 lbs from my goal, so I'm slowly adding calories to find my true TDEE. I asked this question to see what other people would put just for my own reference.