Activity Level Settings - Opinions, Please!

LoreleiWalks
LoreleiWalks Posts: 143 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I am considering making a change to my activity level, and I just wanted to get some opinions from others.

My Story in a Nutshell:

CURRENT SETTING: sedentary

NORMAL DAILY ACTIVITY: 4 days a week, I walk about 3 miles throughout the day - including my commute (public transportation, lots of brisk walking), plus my regular work day (walking around office, up and down stairs, etc.) My job IS a desk job, so I am sitting a lot, but I also feel that I am expending more energy than an average office worker who drives to the office and doesn't take the stairs, walk to pick up lunch or coffee, etc.

ADDITIONAL EXERCISE: Walking, jogging, exercise DVDs - 4-6 times per week for 25-50 minutes per session. I use an HRM to estimate calorie burn, and I usually eat back most or all of these calories.

CALORIE INTAKE: MFP has me set to 1550 to lose a pound a week and I am barrreeeely squeaking by. Usually losing 1/2 to 1 pound per week. I realize that I am pretty much losing what I'm set to lose, but I just keep waiting for a "really good" loss of 2-3 pounds one of these weeks. So far - I am barely making my goal of 1 pound. My diet is fairly healthy, in my opinion. Lots of protein, veggies, fruits, whole grains. Some chocolate and snacky things - but all within my calorie budget and after hitting my macros. I am also watching my sodium intake and drinking plenty of water.

If I change my setting to "lightly active" - I will get 1680 calories per day. I plan on still eating my exercise calories, because getting those extra calories is a huge motivator for being active. I want to make this change - just to see what happens, but I am a bit scared. I guess I'm just putting this out there to get people's opinions, experiences, etc. Does my logic for changing my activity level make sense, or am I just setting myself up for disappointment? Thanks for reading this and for any help that is offered. I appreciate it!!

Replies

  • Stormyyy
    Stormyyy Posts: 247 Member
    bump...for opinions please :)
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,459 MFP Moderator
    IMHO, i think our normal activity makes you lightly active. And if the weight is barely moving, it's quite possible you aren't eating enough. I would recommend trying lightly active for a month or two, if you don't see progress, just go back to sedentary. And remember, under eating can be just as bad as over eating.
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,561 Member
    Hmmmm...I see moderate activity if you are working out 4-6 days a week.

    Whats your stats?

    Age
    Height
    Weight
    Body Fat%?
  • LoreleiWalks
    LoreleiWalks Posts: 143 Member
    I prefer to calculate my workout calories separately - I'm just trying to figure out the right setting for my regular everyday life.

    Age: 35
    Height: 5'10
    Weight: 184.5 (goal 169)
    Body Fat %: Absolutely no idea
  • IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym
    IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym Posts: 5,573 Member
    I'm at a desk job, so mine is sedentary, but with all the extra walking you do for yours, I would say probably lightly active.
  • KyleB65
    KyleB65 Posts: 1,196 Member
    As an OPINION: I think that you are doing great! 1/2 - 1 lb per week is awesome and from what I have read, the healthiest way to lose weight. If you want to try bumping this a little try increasing your cardio for a couple of weeks or cut back a little on eating back any exercise calories. I did this a couple of times last summer and got a couple of weeks with 2 - 3 lbs of weight loss.

    As for your activity settings. Again opinion - leave them at sedentary. I feel that this gives you somewhat of a zero base where everything you do can be counted as "exercise". Mine is set as sedentary and it has worked for me.

    If you are getting steady week to week weight loss. I say that you are doing it right and will be surprised at how quickly this will accumulate over time.

    Best of luck!
  • LoreleiWalks
    LoreleiWalks Posts: 143 Member
    bump - still looking for some opinions. :)
  • AleksD3
    AleksD3 Posts: 194 Member
    I just asked almost the same question about a half an hour ago! Looking forward to some answers!
  • LoreleiWalks
    LoreleiWalks Posts: 143 Member
    Anyone else care to chime in?
This discussion has been closed.

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