Readjusting "activity level"

Vivest
Vivest Posts: 13
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey there,

I just wanted to know if one should readjust ones activity level once one has become more active. For example, when I started using this awesome app, I indicated that I had a "sedentary" activity level as a receptionist. However I also exercised up to 4 times a week.

I still have the same type of job but I'm more active now than before I started using this app. I train or am active 7 days a week. I walk everyday from home to work and on my weekdays I train in the evening in addition to my daily walk. I can literally say I have 1 day a week where I don't walk or do too much exercise.

How does this alter one's "activity level". I can register up to 900 cal burned throughout the day at about 5 to 6 days a week. I'd like to know if I should be changing my "activity level" to keep my body from starving. Granted I don't starve because I eat up as much of the calories I burn out, how ever with increased activity, there is need for more burnable goods.

Can anyone shed some light on this for me or point me to the right thread to read up on it?

Thank you!

Viv

Replies

  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I'm a bit surprised you would even ask, honestly. You're supposed to adjust your goals all the time, or the amount it gives you isn't accurate. If you've changed your activity level, adjust that too.
  • wild_wild_life
    wild_wild_life Posts: 1,334 Member
    I can't figure out how to do it either...maybe try asking in "technical support/need help".

    But yes, I think it's definitely something that needs to be adjusted if you aren't as sedentery as you used to be.
  • Vivest
    Vivest Posts: 13
    I'm a bit surprised you would even ask, honestly. You're supposed to adjust your goals all the time, or the amount it gives you isn't accurate. If you've changed your activity level, adjust that too.

    Because it states that one would have to describe one's "normal" daily activities. See I have a desk job, however I exercise up to 5 times a week. How one regulates this is essential to the "weightloss" process of using this app. See below: I still can't really gauge where I fall honestly so I've choosen "active" for now.

    How would you describe your normal daily activities?

    Sedentary: Spend most of the day sitting (e.g. bank teller, desk job)

    Lightly Active: Spend a good part of the day on your feet (e.g. teacher, salesman)

    Active: Spend a good part of the day doing some physical activity (e.g. waitress, mailman)

    Very Active: Spend most of the day doing heavy physical activity (e.g. bike messenger, carpenter)
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Exercise and activity level are not the same thing.
    I have a sedentary job but often burn 6,000 calories in a week. My activity level is stil sedentary.

    If you have the same job and are eating back your exercise calories (as per the MFP method) I'm not convinced you should change your activity level.

    However, this is how you do it (on a PC rather than phone) Home / Settings / Update diet & fitness profile.

    The other way to fine tune your calories if the results you are getting aren't matching your expectations is to go to Home / Goals / Change goals / Custom.

    Hope this helps.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    If you go to My Home > Goals, you'll find an option to go through the goals again.

    Keep in mind that MFP's activity modifier does not account for exercise. Even the very active setting doesn't apply to exercise, just daily activity.
  • cerexflikex
    cerexflikex Posts: 58
    I'm still sedentary, besides my exercise routine. So I'm leaving mine as is. My workouts typically take about an hour or a few hours of my day, otherwise it's the same level for me. If you are in a similar situation I'd suggest staying on sedentary.
  • Vivest
    Vivest Posts: 13
    I figured as much because it states "daily activity" which is mostly sedentry. I've adjusted it to fit my current goals. Hopefully I see a turn around.

    However when I was at my lowest (83kg) my level of exercise was still pretty active (5 times a week, 1hr sessions) and I hit the dreaded "wall". I went no where for months until I realized I started going upwards agan. (by then after two back injuries and a miscarriage) I had slowed down my pace I suppose.

    Regardless, thanks for the feedback everyone!
  • cdjs77
    cdjs77 Posts: 176 Member
    If you have the same job and lifestyle outside of exercise, no, you should not change your activity level. MFP calculates how much you should eat outside of exercise and then lets you add your individual workouts on top of it. So, your activity level on MFP is really only meant to calculate the activity from your job. If you still have a sedentary life, you will still need the same amount of "base" calories under the calories you burn during your exercises. Only if you went from a sedentary job as a secretary to a more active job as, say, a waitress, would you change your activity level.

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