I think what a lot of people do (I'm one of them) is enter yourself as sedentary and add any activities over just normal working at a desk/sitting in front of TV, walking to your car.  I usually add time spent grocery shopping, coaching kids, treadmill, weights, etc. on top of sedentary.  That way if I have a really lazy day of sitting on the couch on Sunday I just don't add anything.

When I think of Moderately Active I would think those are people who have somewhat physical jobs.  Say a construction worker, or tile layer.  They have to be on their feet, moving around and doing some lifting pretty much 8 hours (or more) a day. 

Original Post by karozel:

 I usually add time spent grocery shopping, coaching kids, treadmill, weights, etc. on top of sedentary.  That way if I have a really lazy day of sitting on the couch on Sunday I just don't add anything.

 Do you think I am safe at keeping it at Light Activity?  The definition that they use on the site is "Light Activity: You participate in light exercise, such as walking, for no more than 2 hours daily."  Which is exactly what I do; I walk 40-60 minutes a day (in 2 intervals) and then I work out for about 60 minutes when I get home, which usually is pretty intense.
I really hate adding all of my activity like that (it's bad enough I have to force myself to do the food log!), and I really never have days when I am just sitting around, other than an hour or maybe more if I am watching a movie.  Even then sometimes I do laundry and stuff like that...I know, I am crazy!

I am just really concerned about not getting enough calories to sustain my metabolism, or worse, getting too many calories so I don't lose weight.  I have been doing pretty well, averaging about 2.5 lbs a week, but I know that's because I have just started out.

Thanks for the reply!

2.5 lbs a week is a reasonable amount to lose. This means that you are realistic about losing the weight and keeping it off. Anymore than this on any regular basis would be unhealthy and deceptive in the sense that you would be more likely to gain some back. I've been honestly recording my food log for just over 2 months now. When you run a 30 day report take a look at the percentages of fat, protein, carbs etc... to get an idea of how balanced your diet is or what areas you need to tweak for optimum health. I too have a M-F desk job and try to fit in 50min/3 mis. at lunch walking and then do about 3-4 times a week at the gym for about 60-90 minutes with a combo of weights and cardio. I've lost around 20lbs so far and have about 10 to go. I also have 2 kids and 4 horses to take care of. The farm work is mostly on the weekends and isnt as intense as my gym workouts but its more physical work nonetheless. I am 5'5" and have been trying to keep to about 1600 calories a day. It takes some time, patience and consistency to get results that show and last. I think I am set to light activity also.

Actually make that Moderate activity...I work out pretty hard when I do. :)