Help with activity level?

laurenhollyjohnston1
laurenhollyjohnston1 Posts: 15 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am female 135lbs 5'3 - just started with my fitness pal and I'm not sure if my activity level is correct. I've put sedentary as I work in a bank and sit at a desk all day, however I do walk for at least 30 mins to 1 hour every day and workout twice a week lifting weights. Would sedentary be correct you think? If I choose losing 1lb per week it says I should eat 1200kcal per day but I find that almost impossible! I tracked a bit before I started trying to lose weight and I was averaging around 4000kcal per day (hence why i've gained 2 dress sizes in a year) so its an incredible drop in eating for me.

Replies

  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Exercise isn't part of your activity setting. Do check out the Getting Started forum to read the sticky threads that explain how this app works.

    Log your workouts and those estimated calories are added to your daily (no exercise) calorie goal.

    "sit at a desk all day" - that's a pretty good definition of a sedentary job. Your lifestyle outside of your job also has an impact on your activity setting.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Yup. You are set up correctly but MFP is set up on the NEAT method which is designed for the user to input their exercise to get more calories for the day.
  • hill8570
    hill8570 Posts: 1,466 Member
    4000 calories? And you're only 135lbs? I suspect your maintenance calories are higher than most, otherwise you'd have been packing on four or five pounds a week. Maybe you should try eating at maintenance for a couple of weeks before dialing down into weight loss territory -- I suspect 1200 is lower than necessary.
  • clay0904
    clay0904 Posts: 13 Member
    Wow 4000 calories a day is more than some people consume even when bulking to add muscle. Sedentary sounds like it best fits you. The app will also calculate how many calories you lose through activity through the day (your 30 minutes walking) if you have your phone step counter on. This means that if you spent 30 mins walking and this translates to 200 calories lost you could eat 1400 calories that day while still losing weight. If you need further clarification let me know.
  • laurenhollyjohnston1
    laurenhollyjohnston1 Posts: 15 Member
    I know it sounds a rediculously high amount but I've lived on junk for as long as I remember. I always maintained at about 100lbs but the extra 35lbs has crept on over the past 4 or 5 years so not a rapid gain. I've probably eaten more over the past year or so hence the additional 15lb ive put on this year but I doubt I would have ever eaten below 2000 calories ever!
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    laurenhollyjohnston1 wrote: »
    I know it sounds a rediculously high amount but I've lived on junk for as long as I remember. I always maintained at about 100lbs but the extra 35lbs has crept on over the past 4 or 5 years so not a rapid gain. I've probably eaten more over the past year or so hence the additional 15lb ive put on this year but I doubt I would have ever eaten below 2000 calories ever!

    You could always set yourself a goal of 2000 and see what happens to your weight after a month.
  • laurenhollyjohnston1
    laurenhollyjohnston1 Posts: 15 Member
    You could always set yourself a goal of 2000 and see what happens to your weight after a month.[/quote]
    I was thinking of going about 1750 (which still seems horrendous) and seeing what happens. I'm not overweight, but my skin and fitness have definitely been affected.

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