Should I change my activity status?

kuunsilta

When I first started MFP last year, I had it set to lightly active because I'm a student. Last year, I tended to sit down and learn the theory most of the day, come home and work out for a half an hour or so, and than sit on my bum studying all night.

Now that I'm in my second year of college, I have more practical work. As a Veterinary Technician student, sometimes I'm on my feet for several hours at a time, or cramping up my arm muscles restraining animals while I patiently wait for my fellow students going through their practical exercises. I also try to work out every day ( sometimes I skip a day or two, but I usually workout min of 4 days a week). I have been going to the gym for strength and have been doing a minimum of 20 min cardio at home ( or there, time allowing).

My calorie goals have been set to 3 workouts 30 min minimum, with a weekly total of 120 min and 720 calories. The last 2 months, I've been having a range of 1500 - 2100 calories burnt which is WAY over my goals. ( HRM calculations which have been more or less been close to MFP ones)

So, I was wondering if I should change my activity status to Active, just up my goals, or both?

Thanks for your time!

kuunsilta

Bump ~

PikaKnight

If you're activity level has changed, then yes, redo your TDEE to figure out your calorie goal for your new activity level.

If you want, check out this link by MFPer Heliotsdan - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

It'll give you a detailed walkthrough (with pictures even) on finding your TDEE and calculating what you should be eating.

kuunsilta

Thank you! I will definitely go through this! I saw this thread a couple weeks ago and totally forgot about it

kuunsilta

Bump