Help with determining activity level (and TDEE)

bethmac_va

I am using the calorie calculator on scoobysworkshop.com, which is much like other calculators.

BMR 1347
TDEE 1617 (maintenance)

For TDEE -20%:
1293 (sedentary)
1482 (light)
1671 (moderate)


I am getting on the elliptical 5 days a week, burning roughly 200 calories each session for roughly 30 min. That's 1000 calories for 2 1/2 hours a week, overall average of 143 calories a day.

If I am looking at TDEE-20%, each activity level increment adds 189 calories. Already I don't fall into even the light exercise category, and had I not added up the increments, I'd have thought I was in a moderate exercise category due to what I am doing. This is why I've been very reluctant to even use these type calculators, instead opting for determining my calories based on what I am actually burning according to my HRM.

I have added weights 3 x week, about 30-40 minutes a session. However, I am not adept, and I sometimes think I spend more time adjusting the machines than actually lifting. :bigsmile: My HRM says I burn about 100 calories per session.

So, based on my exercise, where should I be? I'm trying to break out of my plateau. I started with 1100 calories a day, dropped 7 lbs in 4 weeks and everything abruptly stopped. For 7 weeks, I've plateau'ed. I increased to 1200...nothing. I increased to 1300, then later added my weights. Nothing. Now I've increased to 1500, but really have no idea what I should be eating, based on my activity level.

My weight lifting is about 6-7 machines per session, and I'm lucky if I can get 3 sets of 10 reps, and that's on light weights at this point. I still try to get the reps in but I often have to rest after 5, so as you can see, I'm obviously not keeping a consistent heart rate.

Thank you in advance!!

bethmac_va

bump

bethmac_va

Anyone??