Question about activity levels - Thanks in advance!

annakadabra_
annakadabra_ Posts: 29 Member
edited November 16 in Getting Started
I have a question regarding my activity level.

I've always considered myself a sedentary person. I'm a teacher, but I'm only on my feet about 4 hours a day (literally standing around, very light walking). But most of the day, I'm sitting around in my office.

In order to promote a healthy weight loss, I've started walking to and from work (total 30 minutes) five days a week. I try to do a home workout or attend a martial arts class 3-4 times a week.

So my question is whether I should select sedentary or lightly active on my fitness settings. It'll affect my calories and my FitBit adjustment, so I really want to do the right thing.

Thanks!! :smiley:

Replies

  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    I would consider leaving it at sedentary and monitoring your losses. If you lose faster than expected, then you could change it. From what I understand, the fitbit will adjust your calories if you go over your expected calorie burn anyway. The workouts I would log if your fitbit is not already logging them (if you take it off for the workout, let's say)
  • Smallc10
    Smallc10 Posts: 610 Member
    I agree with blakiefinder - set it as sedentary and your fitbit will increase your calories if you go past what is considered sedentary.
  • annakadabra_
    annakadabra_ Posts: 29 Member
    blankiefinder wrote: »
    I would consider leaving it at sedentary and monitoring your losses. If you lose faster than expected, then you could change it. From what I understand, the fitbit will adjust your calories if you go over your expected calorie burn anyway. The workouts I would log if your fitbit is not already logging them (if you take it off for the workout, let's say)

    Thanks! I appreciate the quick response, blakiefinder and Smallc10!

    You brought up another question I had, blakiefinder. I was wondering if I should take off my FitBit during say a kickboxing class and log the workout separately, or just keep it on and log the steps I'm taking. That hour of steps is hardly the equivalent of an hour of intensive cardio, right? I don't have a heart rate monitor, but I'm considering getting one to get a better read of my calories burned - just as a motivational tool, not a weight loss requirement ;-)
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    edited April 2015
    It doesn't matter because your fitbit, with negative calories enabled, will override it anyway ..I keep mine at sedentary though I am far from it
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    HRM monitor is for steady state cardio and will not measure calorie burn in kickboxing any more accurately

    Just log it using the MFP database and cut the calories in half, if you choose to wear your fitbit during your class then make a note of start and finish times and it will override the steps

    Clever little thing
  • annakadabra_
    annakadabra_ Posts: 29 Member
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    HRM monitor is for steady state cardio and will not measure calorie burn in kickboxing any more accurately

    Just log it using the MFP database and cut the calories in half, if you choose to wear your fitbit during your class then make a note of start and finish times and it will override the steps

    Clever little thing

    Clever indeed! Thanks for the tips!
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