Desk job

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I have a desk job, but i tend to take the steps and walk 20 mins on lunch. That does not count towards my exercising. Should I choose desk job or slightly active?

Also what exercise watch or bands do you recommend to keep a watch out for daily calories burned?

Replies

  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
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    I would just choose sedentary and then count the 20 minutes of walking into my exercise.
  • donjessop
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    I agree with Lizzy662 as that is what I have done. I've started walking more (did my first 10,000 step day yesterday) but other than walking I sit at my desk all day long so i selected sedentary.
  • EmmieBaby
    EmmieBaby Posts: 1,235 Member
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    for desk job VS. slightly active: I would just calculate how many calories you need to consume to lose weight (just food, no exercise) here is a link to find out :http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

    and then get either a Nike fuel, fitbit (what I have) or any other pedometer to track your daily calorie burn
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
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    Sedentary and put your 20 minute walk in as a bonus. No need to log every move you make as exercise.
  • justal313
    justal313 Posts: 1,375 Member
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    I'm an IT manager, in fact I'm the one man IT band here at my company. The lion's share of my work day is sitting at this keyboard. However, we have two floors in a sprawling building so if someone needs my help I could be walking up and down stairs and to and from the other end of the building.

    I don't log any of those calories, nor do I log putting out the trash, doing the dishes, laundry or anything else along those lines.

    Despite the fact that I have a HRM and a kitchen scale, I don't fully trust my calorie counts but they are close enough that this small amout of unlogged activity should balance out against error.

    I do log my lunchtime walks, running and time at the gym, but MFP treats me as sendentary.
  • wayouttenor03
    wayouttenor03 Posts: 6 Member
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    Thanks for the replies, i will put sedentary and chart the exercise!!
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
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    Re: number of steps for lightly active, etc.

    <5000 steps/day may be used as a sedentary lifestyle
    5000-7499 steps/day is typical of daily activity might be considered low active
    7500-9999 likely includes some volitional activities considered somewhat active
    10,000 steps/day indicates the point that should be used to classify individuals as active
    >12500 steps/day are likely to be classified as highly active

    Some people wear a pedometer (all day) and work toward step goals.
  • CMorning99
    CMorning99 Posts: 917 Member
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    I also have a desk job and wore the BodyMedia for almost a year...I was most definitely sedentary (Desk Job)...even with my frequent bathroom breaks, daily life tasks (walking to car, etc), and going out to lunch each day.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
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    I have a Fitbit and always thought that even though I have a desk job that I was pretty active since I run errands and check on people throughout the day. Discovered even with the amount of moving around that I do that I average way less than 5,000 steps a day unless I plan some extended exercise outside of work. Even with going for a 5 km run I'm lucky to hit over 12,000 steps. I don't rely too much on the Fitbit for calories but it is interesting to see how our perception and reality don't always line up.