Calculating TDEE: What is "Exercise Level"?

Rachifloon
Rachifloon Posts: 129 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I've been using the TDEE method as I'm terribly forgetful (and lazy) at remembering my exercise to put into MFP, and would rather just have it all up front but I don't exactly know what "exercise level" includes:

4sgnk9.png

In the drop down menu it says things like "basal metabolic rate" and "no exercise/desk job", those things are pretty self-explanatory, but for the "x times a week" entries, what counts as exercising? Is it based on time, intensity, type of exercise? I'm sure if someone does 30 minutes of walking 3mph "5 times a week" they'll have a different burn than someone who does 45 minutes of weights or HIIT "5 times a week".

Would just like a better gauge of the terminology as I don't want to eat too much when my "exercise level" may not meet the requirements, so to speak. Thanks in advance~ c:

Edited for image.

Replies

  • Sora4ever
    Sora4ever Posts: 98 Member
    This is the same question I had a while back. I'm not sure where to set my activity level...outside my exercise routine, I'm sedentary. But I exercise everyday about 70 minutes of cardio on average. So that's about 8.3 hours of cardio a week.

    Rather than setting the activity level to how many "times a week," I think it's more accurate to do how many "hours a week," and here's why I think that: Let's say you work out 1 hour for 5 days a week. That means you do 5 hours a week or exercise. Now, let's say I do 10 mins for 5 days a week, that's only 50 minutes of exercise per week. We both get 5 days a week...but clearly we would have different activity levels based on "hours" than "times".... does that make sense?

    Again, this is just what I think because I had this question a while back and it's yet been answered so I don't know if I'm right or wrong.
  • Rachifloon
    Rachifloon Posts: 129 Member
    Rather than setting the activity level to how many "times a week," I think it's more accurate to do how many "hours a week," and here's why I think that: Let's say you work out 1 hour for 5 days a week. That means you do 5 hours a week or exercise. Now, let's say I do 10 mins for 5 days a week, that's only 50 minutes of exercise per week. We both get 5 days a week...but clearly we would have different activity levels based on "hours" than "times".... does that make sense?

    That's exactly what I was getting at. Unfortunately there is no "hours per week" option so I don't know if my numbers are accurate. For instance, I do 50 minutes - 1 hours of workout videos 6 times a week. If I select "6 times a week" and get 1700 TDEE I don't know whether that number is based on if I do "2 hours of exercise a day" so I need to eat less, or "30 minutes a day" so I can eat more. I can't find a guideline regarding what the system counts as daily exercise.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    you all are overthinking it like way over thinking it

    these formula are based on averages so is just meant to be a starting point. your exact numbers for your body will more than likely be a bit different . if you exercise 3 times a week (whatever you consider exercise and the time) then choose that. if you do 5 times then chose that.

    then once you start following the guidelines, tweak the numbers as needed

Categories