How far do you go to log exercise calories?

Dafrog

I have seen post on how to enter grocery shopping to sex as exercise, Really? I guess each person to there own. In that case, why not enter your showers or getting dressed. Wasnt you having sex and grocery shopping before? I personally, if it dont happen at the gym or a walk down the road it dont get logged. I dont want to give myself an excuse to eat more. Some days I end up eating my exercise calories, some half, some very few. I am not going to starve myself, nor give myself a reason to say it is okay to eat a bowl of ice cream.
So many ppl refer to being on a diet on here. Diets DONT work ppl. They are just a temperary fix. If one does not learn and adapt to new eating habits and regular exercise, then one is doomed to gain back what one has worked so hard to lose.
Another thing how long do some of you sit staring at your computer screen? Been there done that, internet can be so addicting. Kinda glad that I only have access to it on my cellphone at home. Otherwards, I think I would be stuck on Farmville or Yahoo. I am not tring to make anyone mad or hurt feelings. Although if anything I typed hit home, maybe you should take a moment and think why? The truth hurts sometimes.

msbanana

Agreed, grocery shopping seems like something you wouldn't log but c'mon that super sweaty jungle gym acrobatic sex... I gotsta know how many calories I burned when my knees are wobbling more than they do after I run 5K. :laugh:

People log what they log to keep them motivated. Seeing that they "did something" is worth it to keep them going...

Happy Dieting! :bigsmile:
:drinker:

toots99

I can see what you mean. I don't know how you can count grocery shopping as exercise. I do, however, sometimes count the house cleaning I do, since I only do it one day a week and I clean three houses for 8 hours straight. I'm sweating my butt off all day, scrubbing and carrying and up and down stairs hundred times! I'm exhausted by the end of the day!

orangegalt

i live in a city--i walk to the grocery store, and then carry a ton of groceries back, and up four flights of stairs to my apartment. i just log the walking, but it would be pretty valid for me to count all of it as exercise. whether or not i log everything as, my daily life (and most city dwellers who walk/bike everywhere) burns more calories than some people's workouts, i'm sure. it's not uncommon for me to walk 3-6 miles on a saturday or sunday, just going to whatever events i'm going to.

CGerman

People log what they log to keep them motivated. Seeing that they "did something" is worth it to keep them going...

I agree with this. If logging these things help keep someone on track why does it matter? Personally, the only "chore" I log as exercise is mowing my lawn - but that's my choice.

If someone asks for specific advice on why they aren't losing and the only exercise logged is household chores, sure, you could suggest they add some extra workouts. Otherwise, if it's working for them so be it.

I've seen plenty of people have consistent losses while logging these things as exercise - more power to them :bigsmile:

reneeot

I just log exercise such as walking, running, weight lifting, biking, DVD workouts, and etc. When you first sign up they ask what your activity level is. If I mowed regularly, did daily housecleaning or etc I would have reflected that in my activity level. From sedentary, to moderate or extremely active or etc.

If I do something out of the ordinary that is physical I would probably add it as exercise. Such as rollerskating or spring cleaning. I also could see pushing a stroller with a baby as activity, if I did it with my walking.

I'm sure everyone has good reason for logging the way they do.

msbanana

i live in a city--i walk to the grocery store, and then carry a ton of groceries back, and up four flights of stairs to my apartment. i just log the walking, but it would be pretty valid for me to count all of it as exercise. whether or not i log everything as, my daily life (and most city dwellers who walk/bike everywhere) burns more calories than some people's workouts, i'm sure. it's not uncommon for me to walk 3-6 miles on a saturday or sunday, just going to whatever events i'm going to.

Totally agree here- I was totally thinking of the person that drives to the store and then backs the car into the garage. I tend to walk to the store too and I don't log it but my lifestyle is set as moderately active. I've already accounted for those calories as part of my "daily." Again, it's all a matter of preference and I will log the "extras" like super heavy duty yard work or hours of dancing on a saturday night.

Whatever keeps us going right?

jmmtaylor

It's been proven that if you are thinking about burning calories while cleaning house and doing your "daily activities" you lose more weight. I don't remember the article I read about it but they did a study and so forth. Half were told that doing the daily cleaning and whatever was burning calories and those that were told that lost more weight. It should be common sense that you would burn calories...but still. So if they are seeing that they are burning XX amount of calories by sweeping and mopping...then more power to them.

I personally don't count them, but think of them as "extra" for the day. Most days I'm under my calorie goal anyway, so what's it matter?

LuckyLeprechaun

This is something I was contemplating as I took the dogs out for a walk today. I only walk about a mile, and I have been doing it nearly everyday for about a year, so when does it change from "exercise" to a part of my regular daily routine? I'm not sure. Since it's only about 100 calories, I don't think it will have a huge impact, but I was thinking about this today...perhaps I should stop logging it? What do you guys think?

tymberwolf

I'm not sure I see the point in this topic, and it seems rather mean spirited.

Seems to me that you can log whatever you want, and if it works great, if not, change it.

Why focus on what everyone else logs?

Jenn

Azdak

This is something I was contemplating as I took the dogs out for a walk today. I only walk about a mile, and I have been doing it nearly everyday for about a year, so when does it change from "exercise" to a part of my regular daily routine? I'm not sure. Since it's only about 100 calories, I don't think it will have a huge impact, but I was thinking about this today...perhaps I should stop logging it? What do you guys think?

It's an artificial construct--the only thing that matters is what changes on your body. The body keeps "score" 24/7/365. Whether you "log" an activity or not is really irrelevant.

People who are in touch with their bodies and eating can choose to create whatever artificial structure is meaningful to them.

Where it becomes more relevant is when people who are not really in control start logging everything as "exercise" and significantly overestimate their total energy expenditure. Especially the ones who come here after a few weeks and proclaim that "they are doing everything right" but "nothing is happening".

But even at that, they can either take accountability and change things up or continue their lack of progress.

I have written a number of posts trying to explain how the activity multiplier works and the science behind the issue, but I have decided that it really doesn't make any difference. Do whatever you want -- just be honest with yourself.

babygirlrere

i feel that whatever a person logs in as exercise, might not seem like much to others, but the only one it should matter to is the person logging it....people on hear are in different lifestyles as well as different states and cities and have different jobs and diferrent ideas of what exercise is .......and to comment on the sex part i dont log it but womans fitness magazine has an article that relates to it as exercise...so i cant be judgemental ...i am just hear to support my mfp friends in whatever exercise they do and to encourage them to keep reaching for their goals.......

nubreeze33

I feel your energy and in reply I will simply say to each his own. I say live and let live, if what someone else is doing isn't personally affecting you than what's the harm in them wanting to log sex or otherwise as exercise? After all isn't it burning calories? If it weren't significant I don't think they'd have a breakdown of how many calories you burn doing them. I am not speaking in defense of anyone, I guess in the same way certain things got to you about what you see people do, you could say I felt the same energy with reading this post. I have been on this site 10 days and have truly appreciated the support, and more than anything I have loved seeing so many people trying to do what some may have never done and that is move toward a healthier lifestyle. I truly believe that as a person discovers one victory it will be contagious to them and maybe said habits that are clearly things you see as not so good, can be changed.

Coming from someone who has battled with obesity all my life i'm not looking for anyone to hold my hand and walk with me through the tulips as I strive to be healthy and get it right, but it sure feels nice being a part of a community where there are so many of us working for the greater good!

just my two cents.

NeuroticVirgo

I dunno, I logged cleaning once, and it said I burned 1000 calories. I mean granted I was doing some major cleaning (scrubbing, steaming the carpets etc) for like 6 hours, but still...I dunno...it felt a little excessive. And then later that day I ate 3 pieces of Pizza because I had "all those calories to spare".

So ya...I don't log anything anymore that isn't intentional exercise, a walk, a class, weight lifting etc.

I mean if it motivates people to log it, then they should keep it up. If they are still losing weight, then that means its working.

For me, I think I feel like I'm cheating the system....I might log sex...but that would be solely to show off that I was getting some. :laugh:

SandraMay1982

I have only seen people log cleaning. not the sex or the grocery shopping. I always tend to log about 10 minutes LESS than the intentional exercise that I do. (I TRY to get out and walk 4-5kms every day). I think the cleaning is overkill, you'd do that normally, so why log it? it's not like you're intentionally going to permit yourself to live in a pig sty if you don't log it ><

LuckyLeprechaun

This is something I was contemplating as I took the dogs out for a walk today. I only walk about a mile, and I have been doing it nearly everyday for about a year, so when does it change from "exercise" to a part of my regular daily routine? I'm not sure. Since it's only about 100 calories, I don't think it will have a huge impact, but I was thinking about this today...perhaps I should stop logging it? What do you guys think?

It's an artificial construct--the only thing that matters is what changes on your body. The body keeps "score" 24/7/365. Whether you "log" an activity or not is really irrelevant.

I'd disagree, and the reason is, if I log it, then I have additional "exercise calories" that I can eat. If it is just a part of my daily routine and I do not log it, I won't add to my eating for it. That's why I wonder whether I should log it.

CarpeDiem10

I'm not sure I see the point in this topic, and it seems rather mean spirited.

Seems to me that you can log whatever you want, and if it works great, if not, change it.

Why focus on what everyone else logs?

Jenn

I agree with Jenn. I don't feel it's my business what others log, It doesn't effect me and I don't see how it would have the slightest effect on your life either.:huh:

What you log is your business, there's no reason to put people down, you likely don't know the reason some log in particular chores. If someone is just starting out, then cleaning the house IS excercise for them, we all start at different points of fitness.

I chose to log in my workouts but if I chose to log in something else, that would be up to me.

I very much agree, this was mean spirited:frown: , some people take far too much time worrying about anothers business when they may not be taking care of their own.

CarpeDiem10

i feel that whatever a person logs in as exercise, might not seem like much to others, but the only one it should matter to is the person logging it....people on hear are in different lifestyles as well as different states and cities and have different jobs and diferrent ideas of what exercise is .......and to comment on the sex part i dont log it but womans fitness magazine has an article that relates to it as exercise...so i cant be judgemental ...i am just hear to support my mfp friends in whatever exercise they do and to encourage them to keep reaching for their goals.......

:flowerforyou:

LastFighter

I put in grocery shopping because its a once a week activity that usually takes up a good 45 minutes. I am pushing around at least 1 kid plus the groceries. I only ever log it as slow walking. By your same reasoning you shouldnt be adding in every small thing you eat. To each his own, I try to track any out of the ordinary physical activity I do and anything i eat. I try to be as honest as possible. I do not put anything down if its just for milk, bread or a quick pick up.

jaded_rose

I'm mixed on this one. I know that work isn't considered exercise but there are three days a week where I'm an sweating and my hearts is bounding from breaking down our load and pushing the stock carts up to my department from receiving. They all have crappy wheels and it takes bruit muscle to get them moving.

I am currently logging this as aerobics and only the time that my heart is pounding. I am going to invest in a HRM or a cal burning counter to see how much this really does burn.

Azdak

This is something I was contemplating as I took the dogs out for a walk today. I only walk about a mile, and I have been doing it nearly everyday for about a year, so when does it change from "exercise" to a part of my regular daily routine? I'm not sure. Since it's only about 100 calories, I don't think it will have a huge impact, but I was thinking about this today...perhaps I should stop logging it? What do you guys think?

It's an artificial construct--the only thing that matters is what changes on your body. The body keeps "score" 24/7/365. Whether you "log" an activity or not is really irrelevant.

I'd disagree, and the reason is, if I log it, then I have additional "exercise calories" that I can eat. If it is just a part of my daily routine and I do not log it, I won't add to my eating for it. That's why I wonder whether I should log it.

I wasn't making a values statement. I used "irrelevant" in the sense that it makes no difference to your body whether or not you write down an activity as "exercise" or not. The body will either gain weight, lose weight, or stay the same depending on your long-term energy balance. I could write down that I expended 1,000,000 calories today watching porn and it wouldn't make any difference.

In my mind, and, again, I am not trying to tell you what to do, your comments reinforce the reason why, in the past, I have recommended caution in "overbooking" activity calories. You specifically state that you are considering these "extra" activity calories in your eating plan.

Based on what I know about this subject, I think that a lot of people can run into problems with that approach, and that's what I try to point out. First and foremost, all of our methods of tracking both caloric intake expenditure--the food labels, MFP database, HRMs, etc--are imprecise, with an overall error factor of probably at least 20%. In general, people should not be making eating decisions based on an extra 100 or 150 calories supposedly expended on a shopping trip or doing house cleaning.

The second issue is that "physical activity" is highly variable and it is next to impossible for us to track it on a daily basis. I don't just mean exercise or other large identifiable chunks of activity, but everything we do all day. And it's a pretty large "chunk" of calories--25% or so of our daily "allotment". That shopping trip or housework being logged as "extra" may actually just be maintaining your "average" -- making up for an earlier day when you weren't as active. Human beings tend to be selective in their thinking--we easily remember the house cleaning or the unloading boxes and conveniently forget the day we spent lounging around on the couch.

A number of studies have shown that A) people tend to overestimate the amount of daily activity they actually perform; in response to starting or ramping up an exercise routine, people tend to decrease their casual activity the rest of the day; C) dieters tend to reduce their daily activity; and D) Starting a new job or routine that results in an increase in physical activity often results in a decrease in exercise activity (duration and/or intensity), a compensatory increase in food intake, or both.

Again, I am not trying to make a "values" judgement on anyone--these are just the percentages and the practical considerations when considering how to log casual activity. Like any set of "percentages" they just point in a general direction--each individual can make up whatever structure is meaningful to them and contributes to their success.

But when someone asks me for a general recommendation on whether this is a good idea, I have to honestly say that the evidence is pretty clear that overly logging casual activity calories is not the most successful strategy.