2 questions

#1) I am a distance runner.  I want to start cross training more.  If I run 2 miles, then swim for 30 minutes, then finish by running two more miles is that still OK and can it count as cross training?

 

#2) What activity level would you consider someone that runs 5-6 days a week for 45-60 minutes per day but has a desk job where they sit most of the rest of the day?  Light? Moderate?

What I do is set my activity level at sedentary, and then I just add in all my activities like weight training, running, even golf, and it adds the calories burned to my total.

Yes, that's what most people on here do however, that doesn't work for me.   When i did that I ended losing a TON of weight and was severly underweight and unhealthy.   

So I'm wondering what others would consider my activity level.

Original Post by lilminime:

Yes, that's what most people on here do however, that doesn't work for me. When i did that I ended losing a TON of weight and was severly underweight and unhealthy.

So I'm wondering what others would consider my activity level.

That is what happened to me too.  I would think you could maybe take the calorie amount between light and moderate and start with that.  That is what I am trying right now.  Hasn't been long enough to see how it's working though....

If you are a runner and you spend some time training to swim then your are crosstraining.  How much time you spend doing either depends on your goals.

i know very few sedentary people.  i understand why some ppl on this site use that setting as a default and then add in their exercise; but the more active you are, the less of a good idea i think this is.  if you really are sedentary most of the day (aside from your exercise) that does sound like "light" to me.  but my guess is that you're more active than you think outside the pool/track/gym, and you're more like "moderate."  the only way to find out, unfortunately, is to eat more calories and see where you end up.  good luck, i know that can be frustrating

Well, I try to stay around 2000 calories a day but usually end up closer to 2200.  But I'm constantly hungry and never feel truly full or comfortable even after eating.  And every 4th or 5th day I end up going WAY over and eating like 3000+ calories.  I'm not even really gaining from this.  I was trying to gain and got up about 10 pounds by eating about 3000 calories a day and not running at all. But now I seem to be holding pretty steady at my current weight.  I'm fine with my current weight, however others say I still should gain some. 

The real point here is that I want to eat enough everyday so that I don't end up feeling starved and going crazy every 4th or 5th day.  But I am terrified of eating 2500 + calories everyday because that seems insane to me, especially considering my weight.  Logically speaking, I am a very small female and shouldn't require that many calories.  Even if I set my activity level at very active it only tells me that I burn 2030 calories per day.  Its so confusing. 

I've been considering getting some metabolic testing done but have no clue how to go about it and don't really have the money if its expensive. 

your recent eating disorder history (as desribed in your profile) came as no surprise to me.  it's extremely common for active ppl in the "refeeding" stages to have to eat crazy numbers of calories to maintain or gain weight.  w/time and healthy eating (eating enough calories at regular intervals) as well as sane exercise habits, your metabolism will adjust. 

so stuff that lunch bag!  for at least a few months, 3000calories a day may be just what it takes to get yourself to a healthy weight.  as you get to around 115 or so, you can begin to shave off a few calories to ready yourself for maintenance.

so for now, CC's "light" and "moderate" labels aren't quite accurate for you, bec you're still recovering.  good luck being patient w/yourself.  once you stabilize your eating, you'll start to feel less starved and you'll feel more "together" overall.  then you can start using generic tools like CC's calorie burn estimates.

For the past year I get up at 5 AM and run for 60 minutes, 5 days a week.  All along I had been stretching for 15-20 minutes before and about 5 min after, but lately I've begun doing some calisthenics too, as I have been reading about strength training and cross training.  I just began doing a recumbent stationary bike weekends as part of the cross training.  My legs/knees/feet really need the break from the run by day-5! 

I set my activity level at "light" but still add the running, stretching, and calisthenics.  Even though I sit on my butt at work 5 days a week, and do volunteer work in the evening which also includes butt-sitting, I find that this works for me. 

I've been noticing I'm toning up a good bit and building a good bit of muscle in my legs, and I have read/heard that muscle burns more calories than fat.  That is one reason not to set it at "sedentary"; you are burning more calories because of your lifestyle than if you WERE a sedentary person, even if you're just sitting during the day! 

This is what I suggest, and I feel confident you will receive my suggestion with hestitation if not complete disregard. STOP EXERCISING.

People with ED's need to first seek mental health, then nutrition health.  Honestly, no matter who one is..nutrition and physical activity are ONE. Without the proper stance on one factor, the other is USELESS. In your case, it is obviously, 3-fold.

Do all people with ED's need to stop exercising...YES! AT FIRST, at least. Exercise is ESSENTIAL to a body's well being...but...so is mental and nutritional health. They all need each other. It's like having a great looking car but never changing the oil. The car will eventual die.