Metabolsim question

[Bobbi]

I have been using Fitday.com's site to keep track of my food intake and activity level. There's a form on the home page you fill out plugging in your weight, height and lifestyle and exercise level.

I describe my activity level as active. There's is a box in the activity page which shows my bmr at around 1300, which is correct. It shows lifestyle as around 1000 and exercise at 500, which is about what my caloric output from exercise amounts to.

My question is can the lifestyle figure of 1000 calories be correct? It seems way too high to me and I want to find an accurate way to guage my overall output.

I am eating cleanly, exercising regularly and I want to drop some fat on my middle. I have never found an accurate way to guage my total output. Any suggetions?

Bobbi

 

[Debra]

I found fitday's calories burnt a little high but a lot closer than most online calculators. If you really want to fine tune the number, the next step is a food diary. I found my equilibrium on a typical day is 2200 cal. Assuming you're not training for an event (e.g. shooting for a personal best time in a 10k) then you should shoot for a 250-500 calorie deficit each day for wt loss. If you're training for an event, then use the 250 deficit number. Slower wt loss, but you won't impair performance.

Good luck reaching your goals!
Debra

 

[kimroberts]

I think the "lifestyle" calorie count seems high -- at least for me. I easily burn off 500 calories most days in exercising (I walk 3-4 miles on a treadmill first thing in the am, and then I teach at least one exercise class). But an additional 1000 calories would be the equivalent of walking 10 miles in addition to that. I don't think all the vacuuming and dusting and mopping I do equate to 10 miles, but I could be wrong. It wouldn't be the first time. Did they give you any parameters as to what they call "active?" My definition of that would be like a construction worker or a mail carrier who walks a route.

 

[Bobbi]

It's actually under "Standing, Housework". I know my house is usually dirty, but not THAT dirty.