goals and settings clarification

Cheeks1969
Cheeks1969 Posts: 3 Member
edited November 2023 in Getting Started
Hi, I'm new to MFP and read the stick post above:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1069268-newbies-please-read-me-2nd-edition

I read the first page or two and then realized the rest is bumps, but i'm not sure i fully understood the point of the post. Was it that your activity level in your profile correctly should NOT include your exercise? Or that your exercise goal was being double counted?

Is there any point to exercise goal? I don't see it changing my calorie requirments.

I'm trying to make sure my settings are correct because apparently some people were confused initially. Any nuances a newbie should be aware of that someone could share here so i can avoid 20 pages of bumps?
Thanks

Replies

  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    I don't really see the exercise goal as very helpful, its just to remind you of a goal you set. But, no, it doesn't add to your calories for the day. Your exercise calories get added in as you log them. Your activity settings, however, do change your calorie goal. I find it easier to set my activity settings to reflect my average day, without exercise, then log exercise separately. I do this because no two days are the same, exercise wise, and if you miss a day or two, it throws off you calorie count.

    For example, all summer I did not work. I stayed at home, so I set my activity setting to sedentary, logging all intentional exercise. Now, I am at school all day and wear a pedometer. I walk about 10,000 steps a day, just at school. So, I will set my activity settings to moderately active, and log my other exercise (like walking dogs, treadmill, workout dvds, weight room) separately.
    Hope that helps a little:)
  • Cheeks1969
    Cheeks1969 Posts: 3 Member
    That does help, thank you.

    So i have my activity level on sedentary (desk job), and i log my exercise separately. So I believe this is the most accurate method to keep track of my daily calories burned.

    Do people update their goals often so they can see their new calorie target or just keep in mind that they may have changed based on time going by and weight lost?
    I used FitDay years ago and I prefer their method - they just tell you how much over or under you are and you can do the math. I don't like the "budget" because they're doing the math for you and I feel like i'd want to use the budget.

    just my two cents.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    As you lose weight, click on the APPS tab above, then click on the BMR app and update your weight. This should help you reset your calorie goal.
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