Activity level question

ace175

So when I started this, I was at sedentary level (no exercise whatsoever). I was just on a website calculate my bmr or something?
http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict-equation/
So when I calculated my BMR and multiplied it by the number they gave me (1.2 sedentary), it was similar to the number on here. As I was looking at the other numbers, I was wondering if we're supposed to change out activity level as we progress on here? Now, I typically work out 5 days a week, which, according to that site, would be moderately active, and I want to make sure I'm eating the right amount of calories.... so IDK, I'm quite confused right now!

ace175

Also, when i figure it out using moderately active, i get these numbers

1767 x 1.55 =2738
This number is the number to maintain current weight, which I don't want.
It then says to lose weight you should reduce by 500, but no more than 1000 so then I get 1738.85, but MFP has me eating 1430 calories a day (with a goal of 1.5 lbs/week)

erickirb

So when I started this, I was at sedentary level (no exercise whatsoever). I was just on a website calculate my bmr or something?
http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict-equation/
So when I calculated my BMR and multiplied it by the number they gave me (1.2 sedentary), it was similar to the number on here. As I was looking at the other numbers, I was wondering if we're supposed to change out activity level as we progress on here? Now, I typically work out 5 days a week, which, according to that site, would be moderately active, and I want to make sure I'm eating the right amount of calories.... so IDK, I'm quite confused right now!

No, for your activity level ignore exercise. Exercise gets added as you enter it into the database. If you workout for 40 min and burn 300 cals you would enter that on the site for the day and you will get to eat those 300 cals back. MFP allows you to lose your goal amount of weight whether you exercise or not. Just follow the daily caloires and you should meet your goal. Just don't forget to enter the exercise that you do perform.

erickirb

Also, when i figure it out using moderately active, i get these numbers

1767 x 1.55 =2738
This number is the number to maintain current weight, which I don't want.
It then says to lose weight you should reduce by 500, but no more than 1000 so then I get 1738.85, but MFP has me eating 1430 calories a day (with a goal of 1.5 lbs/week)

This would be okay if you workout every day and don't enter your exercise in the site. I would stick with sedentary and just enter the exercise when you do perform it, that way your caloric deficit each day will ensure you will lose your goal amount of weight.

suzycreamcheese

i have mine as sedentry, and then i add in exercise seperately

ladyhawk00

As others said, unless you change jobs or are significantly more active APART from purposeful exercise, no, I wouldn't change activity level. Other sites include exercise in activity level, MFP keeps it separate (which is more accurate, IMO.)

You'll still be eating more when you exercise. MFP has you log it individually and adds cals each day to maintain your chosen loss goal. Other sites take "intended" exercise and average it, keeping daily cal goal static. Since MFP doesn't work the same way, it's not really comparing apples to apples without doing further calculations to account for the differences.

ace175

Also, when i figure it out using moderately active, i get these numbers

1767 x 1.55 =2738
This number is the number to maintain current weight, which I don't want.
It then says to lose weight you should reduce by 500, but no more than 1000 so then I get 1738.85, but MFP has me eating 1430 calories a day (with a goal of 1.5 lbs/week)

This would be okay if you workout every day and don't enter your exercise in the site. I would stick with sedentary and just enter the exercise when you do perform it, that way your caloric deficit each day will ensure you will lose your goal amount of weight.

So would you suggest eating back all the exercise cals? And it'd still be losing 1.5/week.

Thank you all for your responses!

erickirb

Also, when i figure it out using moderately active, i get these numbers

1767 x 1.55 =2738
This number is the number to maintain current weight, which I don't want.
It then says to lose weight you should reduce by 500, but no more than 1000 so then I get 1738.85, but MFP has me eating 1430 calories a day (with a goal of 1.5 lbs/week)

Yes, that is the only way to meet your goal caloric deficit. If you don't eat them your deficit will grow and may be too large of a deficit.

This would be okay if you workout every day and don't enter your exercise in the site. I would stick with sedentary and just enter the exercise when you do perform it, that way your caloric deficit each day will ensure you will lose your goal amount of weight.

So would you suggest eating back all the exercise cals? And it'd still be losing 1.5/week.

Thank you all for your responses!