When to adjust for decreased activity?

momof2osaurus

My family has been sidelined with a nasty cold, and I've missed more workouts than I'd like as a result. I'm in the "moderately active" category due to six 35-minute workouts/week. I won't get that many in this week, so should I adjust my calories for the week down a level? Or is that being too nitpicky?

heybales

Should always learn to eat for your level of activity.

Now, if known 1 week, you might just be eating at TDEE for your new decreased level of activity, which means diet break, which isn't a bad thing.

But normally, if at Mod Active and you miss a planned workout, skip about 100 calories that day.

Or just recalc on Lightly Active with deficit and do that.

Not a bad idea actually having that figure in mind.

ladyace2078

You know I just keep eating what I normally would. Although when I'm sick my appetite is usually decreased so I tend to naturally eat less. I wouldn't worry too much about it since you will likely just be eating at TDEE and that's okay to do for a few weeks, especially when you're sick.

berthabunny

I have a bad cold right now too. I am trying to exercise a little,
But it is 1/4-1/2 of why I usually do. I figure that my body needs the energy for my poor, hard-working immune system and that I tend to sleep less when I am sick, so it wants more food for that too. I am sticking at the same amount.