What do you consider lightly to moderate exercise?

Soundbodysoundmind
Soundbodysoundmind Posts: 45 Member
edited November 20 in Fitness and Exercise
im trying to figure out how many calories to intake and I jog about 20-30 minutes with another 10-15 minutes walking and maybe 1 or 2 days a week of strength training for 15-30 minutes. Would you consider this moderate exercise? I'm 5'4" and 170 eating about 1600 calories a day and my weight has maintained for 3 weeks (I just started 3 weeks ago) and I'm afraid to cut down more calories, thank you! (:

Replies

  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    Probably moderate.

    If you are frustrated with lack of progress, lose the "about" in the "about 1600 calories a day". Is it 1600, or isn't it? Get rid of doubt by tracking every bite, weighing your food with a scale, not just measuring cups or "1 chicken breast". That way you'll know for sure you aren't accidentally overeating, which is the #1 reason people stall with weight loss.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Well, if you are using the MFP NEAT method you won't include your exercise in the activity level. So if you are lightly active or sedentary on a daily basis, you will add in your exercise later and try to eat about 50% of those calories back as MFP overestimates those burns

    Are you doing this or trying to use the TDEE method?

    I started at 5'4" in the 160s myself. I think I was doing maybe 1400-1500 and eating back exercise calories.

    If you're not losing, you're not in a deficit. Make sure you're weighing your food on a food scale and using the correct MFP food entries.
  • Soundbodysoundmind
    Soundbodysoundmind Posts: 45 Member
    AllOutof_Bubblegum wrote: »
    Probably moderate.

    If you are frustrated with lack of progress, lose the "about" in the "about 1600 calories a day". Is it 1600, or isn't it? Get rid of doubt by tracking every bite, weighing your food with a scale, not just measuring cups or "1 chicken breast". That way you'll know for sure you aren't accidentally overeating, which is the #1 reason people stall with weight loss.


    It's 1640, that's the only reason why I said about. I track every single thing including the almond milk I add to my shakes and only drink water.
    My problem is proportion control which is why I use cup sizes.
  • esjones12
    esjones12 Posts: 1,363 Member
    If you are trying to maintain and are maintaining....then I would leave it be. Keep tracking and seeing what the scale says. If you feel hungry/tired a lot or start losing then you probably need to eat a little more. If you start gaining (doubtful) then you would want to cut calories.

    However if you are trying to fill out the MFP program to tell you how much to eat - the light to moderate exercise is for your life OUTSIDE the gym. AKA - do you have a desk job or are you on your feet and lifting stuff all day? Intentional exercise is logged to give you more calories to eat....
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    OP, you need to weigh your food.
  • Soundbodysoundmind
    Soundbodysoundmind Posts: 45 Member
    esjones12 wrote: »
    If you are trying to maintain and are maintaining....then I would leave it be. Keep tracking and seeing what the scale says. If you feel hungry/tired a lot or start losing then you probably need to eat a little more. If you start gaining (doubtful) then you would want to cut calories.

    However if you are trying to fill out the MFP program to tell you how much to eat - the light to moderate exercise is for your life OUTSIDE the gym. AKA - do you have a desk job or are you on your feet and lifting stuff all day? Intentional exercise is logged to give you more calories to eat....

    That makes so much more sense, outside of the gym. Thank you!
  • Soundbodysoundmind
    Soundbodysoundmind Posts: 45 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    OP, you need to weigh your food.

    Okay, I'm just worried about proportions. I used to weight my food, but it was just too much, which is why I turned to the 21 day fix.
  • sadiebrawl
    sadiebrawl Posts: 863 Member
    Try just doing what you're doing and actually logging everything, and I mean everything for two weeks. I just peeked at your diary, and you don't log a ton of meals, so you may not really have any idea how many calories you are consuming.
  • jaga13
    jaga13 Posts: 1,149 Member
    Agree with others...the activity level doesn't include your workouts. If you are sitting 23 hours out of the day, it's sedentary. If you work in a job where you are on your feet all day, that would be more active (I don't know which level since that's not me!)
  • Soundbodysoundmind
    Soundbodysoundmind Posts: 45 Member
    Okay, thank you everyone for the tips! (:
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Soundbodysoundmind wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    OP, you need to weigh your food.

    Okay, I'm just worried about proportions. I used to weight my food, but it was just too much, which is why I turned to the 21 day fix.

    Weighing your food is the best way to be sure of your portions...So I'm confused.
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