Activity Level question

Lynn1315

I'm trying to figure out what activity level I should be listing. I work at a college, so there is a fair share of computer work, but I am also out and about on campus (depending on the day). Currently I have my activity level set as sedentary and I'm wondering if I should change it to lightly active.

I use the fitbit flex and typically get 10,000 steps in each day, along with other exercising (sometimes running, sometimes Jillian Michaels).

thoughts?

Thanks

Lynn

terbusha

I don't worry about what activity level I have on MFP. What I do and what I recommend to people is to eat at a calorie level that allows you to make good progress towards your goal. If you are trying to lose weight, eat so you drop 1-2 lbs/week. This assumes an average calorie burn from you getting in all of your workouts. This will be different for everyone, so you'll have to do some trial and error to figure it out. I'd start ~1600 cal/day. Hit this goal, along with your macros and getting in your workouts, for a week. If you lose 1-2 lbs, you're good to go. If you lose too much, increase your intake and repeat. If you don't lose enough, reduce your intake a bit and repeat. After a few weeks, you'll figure out what works for you in your situation.

Allan

Lynn1315

I'm only 5ft... MFP recommends 1200 calories a day when I had it set for losing 2lbs a week. I changed it up a little bit ago to losing 1lb a week, and it jumped to 1300 calories a day. 1600 sounds like a lot compared to what I have been eating.

engodwin

10K steps a day is not sedentary. :drinker:

StaciMarie1974

If you have the Fitbit synced, then your activity level doesn't matter. If you're more active than MFP thinks, you'll earn extra calories. Choose to eat some of them based on how you feel.

PRMinx

I have mine set to sedentary because I literally sit at a desk all day long. I log my workouts and eat back most of my exercise calories, though.

I would think you would be lightly active.