Activity Level confusion...

invisibubble

Yes, I know, you've seen a bajillion threads like this before. Thing is, I just don't know what to put for my activity level.
Age: 26
Weight: 149
Height: 5"6

I don't work.
I do fidget, and I like to walk/do chores at least an hour a day, most days.
I aim for 30-50 min on the elliptical at an AHR of 180bpm 3 times a week.
I do small bouts of calisthenics etc 1-3 times a week.
I've been using poxy little dumbbells 1-3 times weekly, my 20kg set is on the way.

THING IS
I go through bouts of severely different mindsets, so sometimes I move like a mad thing, and others I just hibernate, cry and sleep. It's hard to tell when I'll do what.

I had my calorie goal at 1600 and ate back most of my exercise calories, which I always underestimated.
Recently I changed it to what MFP reckons is my sedentary maintenance, and decided to log all exercise as one calorie except med/high cardio. But I'm not convinced this is wise.

Thoughts from people who aren't driving themselves nuts with all this?

fiveohmike

Yes, I know, you've seen a bajillion threads like this before. Thing is, I just don't know what to put for my activity level.
Age: 26
Weight: 149
Height: 5"6

I don't work.
I do fidget, and I like to walk/do chores at least an hour a day, most days.
I aim for 30-50 min on the elliptical at an AHR of 180bpm 3 times a week.
I do small bouts of calisthenics etc 1-3 times a week.
I've been using poxy little dumbbells 1-3 times weekly, my 20kg set is on the way.

THING IS
I go through bouts of severely different mindsets, so sometimes I move like a mad thing, and others I just hibernate, cry and sleep. It's hard to tell when I'll do what.

I had my calorie goal at 1600 and ate back most of my exercise calories, which I always underestimated.
Recently I changed it to what MFP reckons is my sedentary maintenance, and decided to log all exercise as one calorie except med/high cardio. But I'm not convinced this is wise.

Thoughts from people who aren't driving themselves nuts with all this?

Well based on what you say, you are more consistently at a light activity level, shooting up to moderate everyonce in a while.

With that, if you calculate your numbers:

BMR - 1470
TDEE - 2021
TDEE -15% cut - 1718

I would shoot to be consistently eating 1718 and not eat back your exercise calories, unless you are burning more than 250 calories in any given session. If so eat back the calories on top of the 250 that you go over by.

Mike

invisibubble

Thank you. I don't need to do a reset, right?

fiveohmike

Thank you. I don't need to do a reset, right?

Thats up to you. Its always a good idea, but generally need for ultra low calorie dieters.

You can always do the reset at anytime. So maybe start at TDEE - 15%, give it 6-8 weeks to see how your body responds.

invisibubble

Okay, great. Thanks a lot.

invisibubble

Ah, you say to eat any calories burned over the 250 mark. What should I count toward my burns? Just the Med/high cardio? or walking and all that other stuff too?

fiveohmike

Ah, you say to eat any calories burned over the 250 mark. What should I count toward my burns? Just the Med/high cardio? or walking and all that other stuff too?

Just the med/heavy cardio that drives you over 250 calories.

invisibubble

Right. Thanks!