Sedentary.. Or Lightly Active?

uniquelypaige

I'm sorry, this question must be beat TO DEATH..

Up until now, I kind of considered myself sedentary. For the most part when I'm at home, I'm pretty lazy-- I sit around on the computer, watch TV, read, and study. Occasionally I'll go to the grocery store, or go out with friends, or something that gets me up and out/around the house.

Three days a week I'm on campus from 9-2, where I'm walking to buildings, taking the stairs, etc. I didn't think this constituted being lightly active, so I kept my meter at Sedentary.

Lately, I've been exercising on my Gazelle Edge for 30 minutes, or walking for an hour. Usually this averages out to about 3 times a week, sometimes every other day. Basically, when I feel like it, but the average is 3 times a week. Now that fitness and health are more important to me, I really try and get this exercising done.

When I'm not exercising or in class, I'm generally being lazy. So, what would you set my meter to?

And for the record, my stats are as shown: I'm 5'3, 127lbs, and 19 years old. I'm really not interested in over-estimating my expenditure, that would be counterproductive.. So what would be your best opinion?
If I change my settings to 'Lightly Active', would I have to log my activity, or is it accounted for within the burn?

Sorry-- I'm unfamiliar with this website!

megsta21

Sedentary.. then log your activities... not the normal "Walking around Campus" but when you use your Gazelle. :flowerforyou:

slansdown

I agree -- sedentary. "Lightly active" is for people who spend most of their time at least standing -- teachers, sales people, etc. I am a student too, and I know that walking from one class to the next takes about 5 minutes and then I sit for another hour (or two). I just say that I am sedentary and then I log my exercise. I do sometimes count the stairs, or if I have parked my car more than 5 minutes walk from my class. Doing this, I can see how many calories this burns --- it isn't much. The extra 50 or 150 calories is a nice little snack, but I would add it in, instead of assume that you do it daily.

mlcdz

I agree - keep it at sedentary until the 3 times a week becomes a without fail habit, then you can up it to lightly active - especially if you time how much you walk around campus - 10 minutes at a time adds up!
good luck

uniquelypaige

Thanks guys-- I think I will take your advice here. I have been really good about exercising, but I do feel lazy aside from being in classes and when I'm taking my walks/using the Gazelle. xD