Stay-at-home-moms: what is your activity level?

I put sedentary because I'm the only one home during the day. I don't have small children to chase or clean up after. My house stays fairly clean without too much effort. If I had a little one, I'd probably put lightly active.

I started out with mine at sedentary, but just recently moved it up to light activity. I wear a bodymedia fit and it said that I had started burning more calories everyday because of all the exercise. So I bet light activity would work better for you then sedentary.

Lightly active....I stay at home and I'm very rarely sitting with 2 little ones to clean up and chase after all day!

I also put sedentary. I sit most of the day. I log my exercise, but don't log any cleaning, even if it is deep cleaning. I suppose if I washed the floor on my hands and knees, I might want to count that. But for now, I am too lazy for that. LOL.

I don't worry about feeling too hungry if I do some deep cleaning. If I am still hungry(and not just munchies) I will eat a bit more, and not worry about my journal being over. Just keeping track of my food and exercise is what is important to me. I need to see what I ate, and the calories. It keeps me from eating mindlessly.

I have a 4yr old and a 3 yr old. I'm always on my feet but I have a small house and I don't think I walk long distances. I put myself light active but I ended up gaining weight so now I'm sedentary. If I clean or exercise I log it in and it gives me the burned calories. That works best for me.

I feel the same way you do. I have mine set as sedentary as well. There are days when I'm constantly running around after my 2 year old but then there are days when I don't feel like I'm doing much moving around at all.

I also set my level at sedentary. I stay home with my two boys (ages 2 and 1 yr) and I didn't want to over estimate my calories burned. I also do daycare for typically 3 other yound children during the day so its hard to say what I actually burn. I have been counting light housework like laundry, dishes, and vacuuming for like 15 min per day and I also use 'food preperation' for about 10-20min depending on the day. There is also a category called 'walking, carrying infant or 15lb load'. I usually credit myself 10-15min for that one since it isn't constant. I hope this helps you! These categories usually earn me about 150-200 calories so it gives me some breathing room Good luck to you. I think you are doing the right thing estimating on the low side, you can always change it later

:flowerforyou:

Penny

I'm sending you a friend request!

SEDENTARY. Even though my actual routine is far from that... between the kids and attending school, I think it keeps me safe!

What I've learned throughout my journey is that overestimating calories consumed and underestimating activity level gives results. It creates a little safety net for yourself.

I put mine at light activity. I have a soon to be 1 year old. and I do alot of sitting on the floor playing but I am up and down the stairs alot and walking back and forth from the kitchen with him. I dont log any cleaning only my exercise workouts. I looked at the sedentary and light activity and my calories really didnt change both said for me to net 1200.