[Universityprincess]

Okay, so I've managed to confuse myself, so I hope that someone will be able to answer my odd question and bring me out of this confused state. When you are totaling your calories at the end of the day...those expended and those consumed, do you count calories that you do during everyday activity?

Here's where I confused myself. Most websites say I'd burn 1850 calories if I was asleep all day or in a coma (God forbid). So do I count the calories that I burn while shopping...reading...watching tv, talking on the phone...in addition to that 1850 or should I just pretend that they dont exist?

I'm trying to go into this "deficit" thing I've heard so much about with calories.

If you can answer this question please do!

Thank You

[2frustrated]

Yes you have to add on watching tv, walking, cleaning your teeth etc ON TOP of that 1850 kcals to get your cals burned for the day.

If you consume 1850 kcals then you will be in a deficit. It's pretty time consuming to add up all the activity calories you burn. I personally don't worry about it and just watch the consumed calories.

Say for example, you only got out of bed and did 1 hours kickboxing and then went back to bed, then you get 1850 base calories PLUS 1000 from 1 hr kickboxing (I'm not sure this is accurate but I've read similar figures somewhere!!) so total calories out = 1950, and while you're in bed, you eat 1600 kcals, then you will have a deficit of 350kcals. Which is effectively 1/10lb. But don't get too hung up on the numbers - you'll go crazy!

If you really want to get all techy and into your calorie deficits, then during my final year at Uni I trialled a great little product called Caltrac, it's $40 and you wear it all day like a pedometer. It calculates all your calorie burn things and you can even input your eaten calories and work out your deficit! However, I don't think it really matters because most methods are fairly inaccurate anyways! Just MHO

[rabidstoat]

Some places I've seen just ask you to guesstimate your activity level, and then add on top of the 'if I was in a coma' base calories. I don't have any links off hand, I might've done mine on ediets, I forget. I just pick something like 'sedentary' which is mostly sitting around, but it adds some extra calories because I'm not bedridden (which is like the lowest level). So it totals up and averages based on what an average sedentary person would do -- which includes showering, brushing teeth, driving, walking around a little, light housework, etc. Then I add exercise calories burned on top of that.

And then, well, it never seems to add up right, ah well. But it's a ballpark idea.

[blues4miles]

I personally don't count activity calories at all. I do log my activities on Fitday (it's motivating to try to cover my calendar with little soccer ball icons) but don't really take into consideration calories burnt. I think it gives too much leeway to me, and I may start thinking 'oh I worked out, now I can have a piece of chocolate.' I don't want to start eating calories I am exercising. FitDay lets me pick something like 'sitting work' as my basic activity level, which is right above bedridden (although I think sitting work still assumes I'm burning way too many calories for the day). Instead I just worry completely about how many calories I am consuming, and don't change it based on activity level. Just me though

[lucky]

I don't even consider calories burned. I consume a level of calories that results in weight loss whether I move or not. Any additional calories burned through exercise or general activity is gravy.

The thing is, those calculators can only give you an estimate anyway. You are still going to have go thorough a little trial and error to find the right number of calories for you. So, don't make it any more complicated than it has to be. Trying to find the perfect mathmatical formula to get in the maximum amount of food that you can and still lose weight will drive your crazy. Trust me, I've tried. I'd start somewhere between 1800-2000 calories if I were you. See how you do and then make adjustments as needed.

[chick_in_the_hat]

Originally Posted by blues4miles

I personally don't count activity calories at all. I do log my activities on Fitday (it's motivating to try to cover my calendar with little soccer ball icons) but don't really take into consideration calories burnt. I think it gives too much leeway to me, and I may start thinking 'oh I worked out, now I can have a piece of chocolate.' I don't want to start eating calories I am exercising.

Me, too. It is quite tempting to say oh I worked out, I'm hungry and then eat more than I normally would (counteracting all the working out). Quite annoying.

Like Jawsmom says - the additional activity calories are just gravy. It makes it a little easier to create the deficit - but you have to control the calories going into your body in order to control the deficit. I am a text book case - I've been exercising religiously for a long time but I haven't lost any additional weight lately because I haven't been strict enough about the calories going in. Check out my fitday link if ya don't believe me.

[GonnaLooseitagain]

I went and had my RMR (resting metabolic rate/basal rate) tested and I base my calories on that. I am personally glad I did that since the online calculators say I burn 1800 cals per day, when in fact my metabolic fingerprint (what they call it) says I only burn 1150. So I keep cals consumed to 1200 per day and everything else I ignore to help me keep things straight. I still eat a lot and often, every 2-3 hours actually..infact I have had a few people ask me how I can lose weight when I am ALWAYS eating..lol

But I would also just "ignore" the daily activity calories and if you can get your metabolic fingerprint done, it only takes like 10 min and it cost about $50. Good luck

[blues4miles]

GonnaLooseitagain - please tell us more about this 'fingerprint.' Where did you get it done? Doc's office? What does it involve? I'd be really curious to know other ways of knowing your body's true metabolism.

[GonnaLooseitagain]

here is a site that you can get the info from http://www.metabolicfingerprint.com/

it is SOOOO handy to know this when you are loosing (or trying) weight


All you do is go in to wherever does them close to you (they should give you instructions) You can not eat/drink for like 4 hrs. Then you need to have little to no activity also...here is more that I copied from the site...

Your Metabolic Fingerprint is a measurement of your body’s unique metabolism.

Just like your fingerprint, your metabolism is unique to you.


Why is my Metabolic Fingerprint so important to my weight management success?

Knowing your Metabolic Fingerprint is the missing piece to the weight management puzzle. With this information, you now have the ability to precisely know how many calories you need to meet your goals and personalize a program tailored to your body’s needs.

How often do I need to get measured?

We have all been there. We get on a program; we are doing great then BOOM! We hit a plateau, get frustrated and lose our motivation. What causes this plateau are changes in your metabolism as your body changes, whether it's by losing weight, gaining muscle mass or aging.

Keeping tabs on your Metabolic Fingerprint is essential to avoid those frustrating plateaus and see results that keep you motivated to go on. We recommend you re-measure every 4-6 weeks if you are on a weight loss plan, and every few months if you are on a maintenance plan. Talk to your measurement professional to determine the best schedule for you.


How do I get my Metabolic Fingerprint?

Enter your zip code in the Find Out Your Metabolic Fingerprint section at the top of the page to locate a measurement facility near you. Then call and make an appointment.

Similar to getting your cholesterol measured, there are measurement conditions that must be met in order to get an accurate result.

To ensure an accurate measurement you must follow these steps prior to your measurement appointment:

No food or drink (except water) for at least 4 hours
No exercise for at least 4 hours
No caffeine for at least 4 hours
No stimulants or supplements for at least 4 hours
No products containing nicotine for at least 1 hour
How does a measurement work?

At your appointment, your health professional will ask you to sit quietly and relax for at least 10 minutes before you begin the measurement. During the measurement you will breathe into a handheld device for 5-10 minutes. When the measurement is complete, your Metabolic Fingerprint will appear on the screen of the device.

What do I do with my number?

The professional that administers your measurement will talk to you about your results and how you can apply your Metabolic Fingerprint to your current program or a program that is right for you. You can also customize your BalanceLog software with your Metabolic Fingerprint for a more accurate determination of your body's needs

[mandy71480]

wow thanks for the metabolic fingerprint info! The closest place to me is over 100 miles a day! eep!

[GonnaLooseitagain]

I Had to drive 75 miles for mine, but you know what it was sooo worth it since the online calculators/estimators were off by 500-600 calories PER DAY!!! That is HUGE! I made a day of it and made the appt for as early as I could (10am) for me. Then I got up and ate right away, (bowl of cereal) and took my morning pills (with water) then got ready and drove there and then once done, I went shopping and took my kids to lunch. It was a nice day. If anyone has it done let me know.

[Universityprincess]

WOW! GonnaLoseitAgain, that is a big difference in calories. Now that I've read that, I think I just might be willing to go and try that. Unfortunately, it will have to be either at Jenny Craig or a National gym...and I dont know how well that would work for someone who is a non member. Nonetheless, I will call to see how much it will cost and if they will do it for non members.

Thanks for the info!