Activity level?

Hericksen
Hericksen Posts: 43 Member
When I joined, I put my activity level as "sedentary".
That was almost 3 weeks ago. I just started working as a part time cashier last week. I'm working about 20-25 hours a week. My shifts are 4-6 hours long. Is that standing and moving enough to change my activity level to lightly active?
What about the days when I don't work? I don't need extra calories on those days.
Would you change it if it were you? Should I just find out how many extra calories I'd have if I changed it to lightly active and then just eat that many extra calories on the days when I work but otherwise just stick to how it is now?

Replies

  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    It's hard know... it will also depend where you have your weight loss goal - if you are set at "lose 2 pounds a week" you already have a big calorie deficit so you have lots of wiggle room to change your activity level. If this is the case, I would say go for it, see how your body responds after a few weeks.
    If you are losing 1/2 pound a week and aren't moving much at work then you might be better to hang in there for a few weeks and see how you go.
    None of this is an exact science and we all react in different ways - pick one or the other, try it for a few weeks and adjust accordingly.
  • 1234terri
    1234terri Posts: 217 Member
    I would definitely think you have shifted up a notch in your activity level! You could add both of the different totals for one day, sedentary, active, and then divide by two, and you get your daily average:-) That way you don't have to wonder..'am I sedentary today, or lightly active'?

    Good luck:-)

    Terri
  • Hericksen
    Hericksen Posts: 43 Member
    I picked that I wanted to lose 1.5 lbs per week when I joined.
  • Hericksen
    Hericksen Posts: 43 Member
    Ok, so I just found out, the difference in calories I'd be given if I changed to lightly active and how it is now is just 150 calories.
    Should I just keep it at sedentary and then on the days I work just eat an extra snack?
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    Ok, so I just found out, the difference in calories I'd be given if I changed to lightly active and how it is now is just 150 calories.
    Should I just keep it at sedentary and then on the days I work just eat an extra snack?

    It's your call really - personally I would increase it to lightly active and either just leave 100 cals or so uneaten on non-work days or just accept that your deficit might be more like 600 than 750 cals on a non-work day.
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