Activity level?

Trying to figure out what my activity level is so any help is appreciated.

I don't exercise a whole lot because I don't have a lot of spare time with my job. I work in fast food, lots of running around doing this and that. The job keeps me moving all day, and sometimes I have to walk 1/2 either to or from, or sometimes to and from my job and the bus stop a few times a week.

For actual exercise I lift weights for 30 minutes 2 times a week, My goal is to lose 0.5 - 1 pound a week and reduce body fat. I'm about 143 pounds and 5'3 - 5'4" and I'm trying to drop about 20 - 25 pounds, or at least 2 - 3 inches. I'm eating at a 20% deficit and I'm eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, chicken, some dairy and some whole grains. I never eat at work and I don't drink soda either.

Replies

  • Firefox7275
    Firefox7275 Posts: 2,040 Member
    1/2 what, half a mile? How many steps do you take in an average day? If it is under around 6,000 steps a day you are sedentary, up to about 10,000 steps you are lightly active. Your workouts will bump you up a level if you are near the top of a category.
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    its pretty subjective. I prefer to use sedentary and log activity. If you don't want to do that, I would maybe choose the next level up and see how it goes. After about a month, you should be able to use your calories eaten for the month to see if you chose properly.
  • 1/2 what, half a mile? How many steps do you take in an average day? If it is under around 6,000 steps a day you are sedentary, up to about 10,000 steps you are lightly active. Your workouts will bump you up a level if you are near the top of a category.

    Yes I meant half a mile. My mistake, sorry.
  • its pretty subjective. I prefer to use sedentary and log activity. If you don't want to do that, I would maybe choose the next level up and see how it goes. After about a month, you should be able to use your calories eaten for the month to see if you chose properly.

    Thank you. I shall try this.
  • laserturkey
    laserturkey Posts: 1,680 Member
    I set mine to sedentary and then log any exercise or major activity beyond my normal routine.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    How many hours do you work a day, and what do you do when not working? When not working out and not working, are you mostly sitting (reading, watching TV, playing on internet) or are you mostly on your feet (children, housework, etc.)?
  • How many hours do you work a day, and what do you do when not working? When not working out and not working, are you mostly sitting (reading, watching TV, playing on internet) or are you mostly on your feet (children, housework, etc.)?

    I work 35 - 40 hours a week, usually 5 - 6 days a week. When I'm not working I will do some housework, maybe 25 minutes worth of this and that, depending on the day, but I do spend a lot of time resting when I'm not working. And like I said, I exercise some, too.

    I'm using Scooby's Workshop to figure out how many calories I should eat, just so you know - http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    I reference that site all the time for people trying to choose an activity level. If you do the calibration, you will have a really good idea of what you need to do.
  • I reference that site all the time for people trying to choose an activity level. If you do the calibration, you will have a really good idea of what you need to do.

    Ah good to know! I chose 1 - 3 hours of light exercise a week and it came up with 1630 calories so I think that's what I'll do for a month to see how it goes. :)