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Logging cleaning

kylamaries
kylamaries Posts: 291
edited January 27 in Chit-Chat
I have diagnosed obsessive compulsive disorder and -- while I've already factored in my daily cleaning to my lifestyle -- there are days where I deep clean for quite a few hours. Why is logging cleaning frowned upon?

Edited for clarification :smile:
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Replies

  • xvxCelticWandererxvx
    xvxCelticWandererxvx Posts: 2,890 Member
    Why is your cleaning frowned upon or the logging of your cleaning?
  • TheBeerRunner
    TheBeerRunner Posts: 2,777 Member
    People view it as just a "normal, every-day" activity that's not really exercise. IDK. Toss on a HRM and chest-strap and see how much you burn. I'm guessing that MFP grossly overestimates the calories burnt, but IDK. I've logged cleaning before, and don't look down upon anyone else who does either. It can be hard work that raises HR and gets you sweating if you're really into it.
  • xvxCelticWandererxvx
    xvxCelticWandererxvx Posts: 2,890 Member
    I've logged cleaning and yard work, because some days that's all I can manage for exercise. For me it's trying to keep at the 1,200 calorie intake and keep my Hashimoto's in check. If people judge, it's on them :wink: ha ha
  • WaterBunnie
    WaterBunnie Posts: 1,371 Member
    You'd probably be better off with an activity monitor like a FitBit rather than a HRM which isn't so good for longer low intensity stuff like cleaning.
  • kylamaries
    kylamaries Posts: 291
    People view it as just a "normal, every-day" activity that's not really exercise. IDK. Toss on a HRM and chest-strap and see how much you burn. I'm guessing that MFP grossly overestimates the calories burnt, but IDK. I've logged cleaning before, and don't look down upon anyone else who does either. It can be hard work that raises HR and gets you sweating if you're really into it.
    I'll try to do so the next time! I don't log the entire time either; I typically log about 50-75% of the time I actually worked so I don't overeat in result.
  • meeeshellllle
    meeeshellllle Posts: 75 Member
    I clean professionally which is extremely hard work so I do occasionally log it
  • paygep
    paygep Posts: 401 Member
    Well, I say if you break a sweat.... log it!
  • SarahBeth0625
    SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member
    I don't log it, but it's never enough to get a burn. LOL. If I mowed the lawn, which I have never done so probably won't, I would ~maybe~ log it, but that's pushing it. Shoveling snow? Probably log it. Cleaning toilet/vacuuming? Nope.
  • KatyE213
    KatyE213 Posts: 447 Member
    I would say log it only if you have your activity level set at sedentary ... if you've already factored it into your activity level you would be effectively counting it twice
  • celtbell3
    celtbell3 Posts: 738 Member
    Well, I know that when I have to deep clean - major work (I do have a bunch of kids AND a husband LOL) - then I'm putting in some work. Especially if it's during a time when I usually am not doing anything. I'd keep logging it. You know if you're working harder than usual.
  • butterflyluv1218
    butterflyluv1218 Posts: 430
    I never log cleaning. To me that's stuff your body is already accustomed to. Maybe mowing the lawn or something like that. Not doing dishes, mopping, etc. Just my opinion though. :)
  • chelstakencharge
    chelstakencharge Posts: 1,021 Member
    I wear my HRM when I am cleaning, especially deep cleaning to see exactly my calories burned
  • Jaulen
    Jaulen Posts: 468 Member
    For me if it's stuff like a quick vaccumming/dusting/taking out trash, I don't. But when it's a 'real'cleaning, like moving furniture, down on hands and knees scrubbing, scrubbing tile and like....then I do, since that's a once a month type of thing.
  • sjcook23
    sjcook23 Posts: 88 Member
    I don't know about the rest of you, but I sweat when I clean. It's a workout and don't let anybody tell you otherwise.
  • HollyRed13
    HollyRed13 Posts: 20 Member
    Personally my lifestyle is incredibly sedentary, so I log any kind of exercise. Even if I only cleaned for two or three minutes - because it's more active than I would be if I were just sat down like normal. It's not like it would make a major difference and I don't eat back my exercise calories where I can help it.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    I don't think it matters why OTHERs might frown upon logging cleaning. You are a unique situation with the OCD cleaning you are doing. I bet you are burning some serious cals sometimes depending on what you are doing. If I were you and I had an HRM, I'd wear it to see if it comes out to a lot of cals and log them. If I didn't have one, I'd just use MFP's presets with the time you spent and judge for yourself whether it was "vigorous" or "light".

    My situation is unique because I clean rarely since I have help, and a number of injuries that make it not a thing I do steadily enough to account for the activity level in my MFP presets as active or whatnot. So I don't. Whenever I do get to do it, I get so gung ho, just because I can, usually it's a less often tended to task and those always take extra effort, and I love the smells. So it gets pretty groovy, I put on music and everything and work up a sweat and get into lots of crazy squat, reach, wax on-wax off, moves and poses, so I log it.
  • sweetpea03b
    sweetpea03b Posts: 1,123 Member
    I only log cleaning if I'm doing some really crazy amount of work that's got me all out of breath (say preparing for a yard sale and I'm lugging logs of stuff up and down the stairs, lots of bending etc) or cleaning the car or something. Otherwise, I say its factored in your everyday activities and you're kind of cheating yourself by giving yourself extra calories you didn't really earn. Exercise means exercise.
  • k8blujay2
    k8blujay2 Posts: 4,941 Member
    People just like to be right... that's why they judge.

    I'm in the "as long as your calories are set to sedentary, then it's ok to log it" camp. I have had a couple of friends that log cooking and cleaning as their activities and they have lost a decent amount of weight... they look awesome.
  • RllyGudTweetr
    RllyGudTweetr Posts: 2,019 Member
    Well, I say if you break a sweat.... log it!
    I'm not allowed to log any of my exercise, but am allowed to log time in the sauna, by that metric. :sad:
  • bearkisses
    bearkisses Posts: 1,252 Member
    Well, I say if you break a sweat.... log it!

    you could be sweating because of how hot it is
  • bio01979
    bio01979 Posts: 313
    I don't log it though I probably could as I have my thing set to sedentary or no activity

    I have checked my HR when vacuuming the house and it is at 160bpm on avg which is about 80% of my max HR so yes, it is technically a workout. I am weird though I have a low resting HR and very little activity gets my HR up and makes my face red and me very warm and the heat and HR response last for about 20-30mins after I finish any activity lol. It has always been that way, even when I was a super fit athlete

    I still don't bother logging it just because I wouldn't bother to eat back those calories burned for vacuuming because it would only be like 100-200 calories lol :)
  • SerenaFisher
    SerenaFisher Posts: 2,170 Member
    I would only frown upon cleaning if said person only logs cleaning once a month, or say once a year. Either it means they wanted to log a work out to remove calories (I've done that mwahahahaha) or they very seldom clean. :wink:
  • amandapye78
    amandapye78 Posts: 820 Member
    IDK, I personally think if you are out of breath and heart rate is going up then log it. I dont log it anymore because I dont break a sweat doing it but before I lost the weight I would get sore, out of breath and my heart rate would go up, if it does that its a workout IMO.
  • k8blujay2
    k8blujay2 Posts: 4,941 Member
    Well, I say if you break a sweat.... log it!
    I'm not allowed to log any of my exercise, but am allowed to log time in the sauna, by that metric. :sad:

    Right, I know a lady who did the Boston Corporate Challenge a few years back (I got to do it too... though I can't remember how far it was... 5k I think?) she didn't sweat one ounce...
  • KenosFeoh
    KenosFeoh Posts: 1,837 Member
    Why do you care what other people think?
    I am working from a sedentary baseline, so yes - I log cleaning, especially if it keeps me moving and works up a sweat. I don't log things that are basically standing around - like making dinner or loading the dishwasher. But that's just me.

    Log what seems right for you.
  • jmadams111
    jmadams111 Posts: 145 Member
    Bottom line is, if you are logging it....and losing at the rate the system says you "should," its working. Don't worry what anyone else thinks. This whole process has to be based on what works for you because ALL of it is estimates.
  • lua_
    lua_ Posts: 258 Member
    Am I the only person that is suggesting you perhaps seek help for your OCD instead of counting the compulsion as an achievement because of calories lost?
    OCD is harmful for the mind, it's unhealthy...so surely, despite the calories lost, it shouldn't be logged as part of your healthy lifestyle? Healthy mind, healthy body.
    Not judging, I have mental health issues myself.
  • tinylittlelove
    tinylittlelove Posts: 120 Member
    My settings are set to sedentary

    With cleaning I only log it if I put a lot of effort in, and because I don't want to overestimate calories burnt, I always log it 'Light effort' and then I log it for half the time.
  • gobonas99
    gobonas99 Posts: 1,049 Member
    I have my settings set to sedentary (desk job).

    That said, I never log cleaning, or yard work, or shopping, or even snowmobiling (which can be a hell of a workout, depending on how shot the trails are). IMO, those are all "bonus" calories burned.

    But that's what *I* do. Other people are certainly free to log that stuff if that's what they want to do. :)

    PS - want to come clean my house? :wink:
  • kylamaries
    kylamaries Posts: 291
    Am I the only person that is suggesting you perhaps seek help for your OCD instead of counting the compulsion as an achievement because of calories lost?
    OCD is harmful for the mind, it's unhealthy...so surely, despite the calories lost, it shouldn't be logged as part of your healthy lifestyle? Healthy mind, healthy body.
    Not judging, I have mental health issues myself.
    While I appreciate this, I am at peace with myself and I love who I am. My OCD has been a part of me for many, many years and I see no reason to change. The only reason I have stayed at an average weight these past few years is because I'm always up and cleaning. I don't necessarily count it as an achievement, rather calories burned.
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