Activity Level

maura1110

So, for things like MFP calories, calculating BMR, etc, you have to choose an activity level. And usually it ranges from Sedentary lifestyle with little to no exercise, moderate activity with a little bit of exercise, and a physically demanding job with a lot of exercise.

Well, I have a desk job so I am sedentary for a majority of the day, but I exercise 5-6 days a week (I'm actually training for a half marathon so I run alot! usually at night after work and on the weekeds)

This scale doesn't seem to separate work/life balance! Would you consider my lifestyle as sedentary, active, or somewhere in the middle? I want to make sure I'm properly calculating my BMR.

Thanks!

harebearva

I'd say active. activity level should include ALL daily activities

86_Ohms

I would say you can get away with "lightly active" to one level above depending on your work out routines. I also have a desk job, but go to the gym 3-4 days a week.

MFP is mostly going to get you around your BMR depending on how active you tell it you are. More active persons will have a higher BMR as you need more calories to accompany your daily work tasks compared to your nightly work out ones. I would go find your "Maintenance" calorie count and subtract 500 calories from it. That number will be what you will ultimately shoot for.

Riverofbeauty

I set mine to sedentary and ate back all my exercise calories from walking/working out etc.

I work a desk job, but am not sedentary outside of work/on weekends. So what MFP set as my maintenance was actually correct on "lightly active", even after factoring in walking/workouts on top of that.

Basically what I'm trying to say is you might think you're sedentary, but you might not be as much as you thought. It just comes down to trial and error...good luck!

maura1110

Thanks guys!!