Am I Sedentary Or Lightly Active - Or Other?

mklassy123

My job depending on the day can be a lot of sitting around, but also it can be a lot of up and down and runnig around. Since I live in NYC, much of my day is walking. I walk a good mile an a half total throughout the day just to and fom the subways. I also have a dog that I walk. I do not count these activies as exercise, I only count my "official working out" as exercise. Right now I have myself listed as sedentary, but I'm not sure that's correct. At this point I still have about 35 pounds to lose and MFP has my calories at 1220 a day as base.

Mia_RagazzaTosta

I wouldn't call that sedentary.

BerryH

At least lightly active. With 35lb to lose, set MFP to lose no more than a pound a week - you'll probably get more than 1220 calories a day.

Carolyn_79

Definitely not sedentary.

tabi26

Personally, I would call that lightly active...maybe even more. Why not try out the higher setting for 4 weeks and see where that gets you? You never know how much you can eat and still lose if you never try a higher setting . Be sure to give it four weeks though, as weight can fluctuate alot over only one week. If at the end of four weeks you're lighter than you were when you started, then success!

Seajolly

I'd go with lightly active.

mklassy123

Thanks. I will switch to lightly active. 1220 calories does not seem like enough for me, unless I am doing nothing but sitting on the couch. I will change my settings and give it four weeks.

Just made the change. Now I get 1350 calories a day (not including more for "real" exercise). This seems so much more doable. My goal has always been 1 pound per week, but I'm happy with even 1/2 a pound a week, as long as it goes down.

Sarauk2sf

At least lightly active. With 35lb to lose, set MFP to lose no more than a pound a week - you'll probably get more than 1220 calories a day.

^^yep

Assess after 4 weeks. If you are losing weight quicker than predicted, up your calories a bit.

Sweet_Gurl_Next_Door

defintely lightly active.

Martucha123

more then lightly active

I have fitbit and walking 5 km (3 miles) gives me extra 350 kcal. So yo walking to metro makes you lightly active
walking the dog and moving around at work would take you to the next level (active)

definately DO NOT use sedentary

I am sedentary only when I don't leave house whole day (just sit watching tv, maybe do some light cleaning, fix dinner)
I am below sedentary only when sick in bed

bara_rei

I would go with lightly active or even just regular active. Since you spend so much time walking, you are NOT sedentary. Honestly, almost no one is.

Bump it up to lightly active and see what happens after 4 weeks and go from there.

paprikas

Id suggest that you buy a fitbit and link it to your mfp account. It actually tracks your activity and gives you accurate bonus calories. You may be surprised by how active you really are. It is also very motivating and will get you moving and hence eating more......