Lightly active vs. sedentary

morganpalmer9
morganpalmer9 Posts: 73 Member
edited November 16 in Fitness and Exercise
I am trying to lose around 1-1.5 lb a week but I'm unsure of how many calories I need to be eating. I run on the elliptical 6 times a week for at least 35 minutes and do interval training so I typically burn around 450-500 calories. Besides that, I work in an office and am off my feet all day. Would this be considered lightly active or sedentary?

Replies

  • KarenJanine
    KarenJanine Posts: 3,497 Member
    If you are on your feet all day then you are not sedentary.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Your exercise is not part of your activity setting.
    I run on the elliptical 6 times a week for at least 35 minutes and do interval training so I typically burn around 450-500 calories.
    This part is logged in your exercise diary and you are credited with an estimate of those calories.
    I work in an office and am off my feet all day.
    Sedentary.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    edited April 2015
    KarenJanine wrote: »
    If you are on your feet all day then you are not sedentary.

    She is "off her feet" not on!
  • lishie_rebooted
    lishie_rebooted Posts: 2,973 Member
    KarenJanine wrote: »
    If you are on your feet all day then you are not sedentary.

    She said "off my feet all day"

    OP, I'd say lightly active because you aren't truly sedentary.
    I'm on crutches right now so I'm essentially sedentary but pre-crutches, I marked myself as "lightly active" with my office job since I go to/from the printer/bathroom/coffee/etc
  • MaggieLoo79
    MaggieLoo79 Posts: 288 Member
    I found this article from Livestrong helpful in determining my activity level. Don't know if you've ever worn a pedometer, but the results may surprise you.

    "Walking and Activity Levels
    Researchers at Arizona State University have established baseline activity levels based on the number of steps taken each day. People who take fewer than 5,000 steps are considered to be sedentary or inactive. Those who take 5,000 to 7,499 steps daily have a low active lifestyle. Somewhat active people usually take 7,500 to 9,999 steps per day. People considered to be active take 10,000 or more steps per day."

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/171629-how-many-steps-per-day-to-lose-weight/
  • kristinegift
    kristinegift Posts: 2,406 Member
    edited April 2015
    First, on your profile, it says you only have 8 lbs to lose. With so little to lose, 1-1.5 lbs per week is not going to be feasible. The less you have to lose, the slower you lose it. Trust me: I've been working on my last 5-6 pounds since February and have lost 1.5 of them :/

    Second, I would consider that sedentary, since your exercise doesn't factor into sedentary v. lightly active. I walk 1-2 miles a day going to and from my university campus, but spend most of my time a) sitting in class or b) sitting at my desk working on homework. I consider myself sedentary. Alternately, I considered myself lightly active when I had a job where I was standing 90% of the time for 20 hours a week.
  • SkinnyGirlCarrie
    SkinnyGirlCarrie Posts: 259 Member
    lishie_rebooted wrote: »

    OP, I'd say lightly active because you aren't truly sedentary.
    I'm on crutches right now so I'm essentially sedentary but pre-crutches, I marked myself as "lightly active" with my office job since I go to/from the printer/bathroom/coffee/etc

    Even so, I also work in an office and am off my feet all day but hit the printer, bathroom, cafe - and between 6:30am and 3:30pm I only clear maybe 3000 steps on a good day, which I consider sedentary and mark myself that way. I almost always eat back a portion/most of of my exercise calories. FWIW I exercise (jogging or HIIT, strength training, etc) 6 days a week for 45-90 minutes.

    You may need to try both settings and see which works best for you, it's different for everyone!
  • MireyGal76
    MireyGal76 Posts: 7,334 Member
    I go with sedentary and log (and eat back most of) all my exercise.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Why do people talk such rubbish ..for MFP purposes someone who has a desk job is sedentary ...it even says it in the descriptor

    I always agree with Si...which is cos he's generally right!
    sijomial wrote: »
    Your exercise is not part of your activity setting.
    I run on the elliptical 6 times a week for at least 35 minutes and do interval training so I typically burn around 450-500 calories.
    This part is logged in your exercise diary and you are credited with an estimate of those calories.
    I work in an office and am off my feet all day.
    Sedentary.

  • KarenJanine
    KarenJanine Posts: 3,497 Member
    sijomial wrote: »
    KarenJanine wrote: »
    If you are on your feet all day then you are not sedentary.

    She is "off her feet" not on!

    Doh! I'll get me coat..
  • jms14letgo
    jms14letgo Posts: 138 Member
    Like you I work out 6 days a week but I have a desk job. I have my activity level set to sedentary. Then I log my exercise calories.
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