life calories....

turbojanem

life will burn calories. even just sitting in front of the TV breathing requires calories. and grocery shopping and cleaning house also burns calories.

when it comes to MFP, i do not count life calories when i am looking at my food and exercise. why? because it is life. life happens and we do that daily.

exercise is purposefully movement with the intent on being healthier.

if you are one that counts your life calories as exercise, i would like to challenge you to NOT count them for the month of November. Eat healthy balanced meals (lean protein, fresh/frozen veggies and fruits, whole grains), exercise in moderation and see what the scales do for you. try this for three weeks from November 1st till Thanksgiving morning. If you don't see the scales move, then you can go back to doing what you have been doing.

we all need challenged from time to time. who's in for a November challenge?

nroesler

People do this? MFP already calculates your basal metabolic rate which is the amount of calories your body burns resting (or doing nothing), it's based on age, weight, sex, and height. The daily allotted calories MFP gives you is already below your BMR.

You can check your BMR on the tools tab of MFP. Good luck with your weight loss

beethedreamer

I really like this idea! I only count the calories burned from going to the gym and going running around my neighborhood. The calories burned from excess cleaning/cooking/whatever are just a bonus for me

turbojanem

i understand all of this. however, i often see people using cleaning as part of their calories. to me, that is life and not to be added to your exercise calories.
this is just my opinion.

turbojanem

i like the way you think!

Sporty98

When we signed up for MFP we were asked about lifestyle (sedentary, lightly active, etc.)....Our cleaning, basic living calories are already figured in to the lifestyle. I do not count those calories either. I choose to put my "exercise calories" as only my workouts. We have horses and daily barn chores, which could easily be counted as "exercise"....BUT, I put that into my lifestyle (which I noted as active).
Thanks for the challenge! It's a great idea to mix it up a bit....Let's keep the fun in fitness!

melizerd

I only count cleaning when it is above and beyond normal every day stuff. Some sort of DEEP cleaning and I only count it that way because I count my life style as sedentary so those types of extras do matter to me. I also try to not eat back exercise calories at all though so it doesn't really matter if I count them or not.

kymarai

Usually when I put in "life" calories it too, is above my everyday stuffs. My job can be anything from very busy to sedentary. For this reason I am glad I have an hrm. On a normal fall day, my hrm may only read 2000-3000 calories burned. That would mean I am just doing "normal stuffs. On other days, I am calculating hrm at 5000-6000. Those are the days I know I need to eat more because I am really hungry! Example, this morning I believe I put in cleaning intense, but what I was doing was folding laundry and cleaning my room while dancing to fast songs on IPOD to keep heart rate up. Kind of worked for the day I really didn't feel like exercising, yet knew I needed to move!

4lafz

Love it - and I so agree with you. Don't people see the "calories burned through normal activity" area on their Goals? I think these life calories are included there!

kappyblu

I only count cleaning calories if it's something I had to put A LOT of effort into. I don't count doing the dishes or doing laundry, cooking dinner, or even vaccuming. But I would count something that required a lot of heavy lifting, like lugging boxes up and down stairs for half an hour, or mowing the lawn. (I have a huge lawn, and since it is mowed only every other week, it is not part of my everyday lifestyle.)

PoshTaush

I like it!! I'm in! So we start November 1st? Thanks!

amyjo519

This is a great post! For the first month I was on MFP I tried counting every extra calorie I could!!! Allso I could eat more! As you would expect I didn't lose much! Getting my heart rate moniter really helped me go for the extra calories only when I was purposely working out! I lost more weight the first week with my HRM than I did the whole previous month! It really makes a diff to only count the calories of purposeful exercising. However I do count extra cleaning calories for stuff I don't do ususally...like mowing, washing the car, etc, etc. But only if I'm breaking a sweat!

hunterzmomma

ugh. I count them all=)

vickiele1

life will burn calories. even just sitting in front of the TV breathing requires calories. and grocery shopping and cleaning house also burns calories.

when it comes to MFP, i do not count life calories when i am looking at my food and exercise. why? because it is life. life happens and we do that daily.

exercise is purposefully movement with the intent on being healthier.

if you are one that counts your life calories as exercise, i would like to challenge you to NOT count them for the month of November. Eat healthy balanced meals (lean protein, fresh/frozen veggies and fruits, whole grains), exercise in moderation and see what the scales do for you. try this for three weeks from November 1st till Thanksgiving morning. If you don't see the scales move, then you can go back to doing what you have been doing.

we all need challenged from time to time. who's in for a November challenge?

I don't mean to be rude, here, but your "challenge" almost seems like a jab at those who choose to log calorie burn including the tasks that others might consider "life" calories. For example a 20, 30, 40 year old person may be able to accomplish a lot more than a 50, 60, 70 year old person. So, the person that is 50 years old, has identified they need to reduce their weight by 100 calories shouldn't count the calories burned doing their housework even if before they began their journey, they barely moved off of the sofa. That hardly seems fair. Also, my understanding of calorie burn is that if your heart rate is elevated for a certain length of time you are burning calories. For example, I am 56 years old, I have arthritis in both knees and problems with my lower and middle back. I usually try to walk or use the stationary bike for at least 30 minutes a day - except on the weekends. I work 10 - 12 hours a day, so cleaning the house is just not my priority during the week - I save that for the weekend. I have a very large 100 year old house that is in various stages of remodeling (most of which I do myself on the weekends). This morning, I was up at 4:00 a.m., began doing my laundry (washer and dryer are in the basement of this huge 2 story house), so I hauled the 2 large baskets of laundry (including sheets and blankets from both beds) to the basement. After that, I began cooking for the weekend/week because today my stove will be incapacitated when I begin to work on the last wall in my kitchen (one more piece of drywall to cut and put up and then 2 wall cabinets to hang - 30 and 36 inch respectively). After that, I went upstairs and flipped my extra thick mattress, then vacuumed the dog fur from my precious pet Willow off of the upstairs landing and the 16 steps that lead to the down stairs. I was definitely perspiring after all of that - so did I not burn calories? Hmm... I'm thinking that can't be right. Will I not be burning calories when I go up down the basement stairs today to collect the laundry, hang it out on the line, etc? Hmmm... I'm thinking once again - that simply can't be right. And if, at the end of the day I don't have the energy to do an additional 30 minutes of the stationary bike or walk will I have failed to "exercise" today and so can feel like I've failed to reach my goals for today?

Here is what I think, that each person absolutely MUST decide for themselves what is considered appropriate and adequate exercise for themselves. We can suggest, encourage, and advise, but to indicate that what they are currently doing isn't good enough or doesn't/shouldn't count is callous and insensitive. It is, after all, THEIR JOURNEY TO A HEALTHIER AND HAPPIER LIFE.

Vickie

PoshTaush

life will burn calories. even just sitting in front of the TV breathing requires calories. and grocery shopping and cleaning house also burns calories.

when it comes to MFP, i do not count life calories when i am looking at my food and exercise. why? because it is life. life happens and we do that daily.

exercise is purposefully movement with the intent on being healthier.

if you are one that counts your life calories as exercise, i would like to challenge you to NOT count them for the month of November. Eat healthy balanced meals (lean protein, fresh/frozen veggies and fruits, whole grains), exercise in moderation and see what the scales do for you. try this for three weeks from November 1st till Thanksgiving morning. If you don't see the scales move, then you can go back to doing what you have been doing.

we all need challenged from time to time. who's in for a November challenge?

I don't mean to be rude, here, but your "challenge" almost seems like a jab at those who choose to log calorie burn including the tasks that others might consider "life" calories. For example a 20, 30, 40 year old person may be able to accomplish a lot more than a 50, 60, 70 year old person. So, the person that is 50 years old, has identified they need to reduce their weight by 100 calories shouldn't count the calories burned doing their housework even if before they began their journey, they barely moved off of the sofa. That hardly seems fair. Also, my understanding of calorie burn is that if your heart rate is elevated for a certain length of time you are burning calories. For example, I am 56 years old, I have arthritis in both knees and problems with my lower and middle back. I usually try to walk or use the stationary bike for at least 30 minutes a day - except on the weekends. I work 10 - 12 hours a day, so cleaning the house is just not my priority during the week - I save that for the weekend. I have a very large 100 year old house that is in various stages of remodeling (most of which I do myself on the weekends). This morning, I was up at 4:00 a.m., began doing my laundry (washer and dryer are in the basement of this huge 2 story house), so I hauled the 2 large baskets of laundry (including sheets and blankets from both beds) to the basement. After that, I began cooking for the weekend/week because today my stove will be incapacitated when I begin to work on the last wall in my kitchen (one more piece of drywall to cut and put up and then 2 wall cabinets to hang - 30 and 36 inch respectively). After that, I went upstairs and flipped my extra thick mattress, then vacuumed the dog fur from my precious pet Willow off of the upstairs landing and the 16 steps that lead to the down stairs. I was definitely perspiring after all of that - so did I not burn calories? Hmm... I'm thinking that can't be right. Will I not be burning calories when I go up down the basement stairs today to collect the laundry, hang it out on the line, etc? Hmmm... I'm thinking once again - that simply can't be right. And if, at the end of the day I don't have the energy to do an additional 30 minutes of the stationary bike or walk will I have failed to "exercise" today and so can feel like I've failed to reach my goals for today?

Here is what I think, that each person absolutely MUST decide for themselves what is considered appropriate and adequate exercise for themselves. We can suggest, encourage, and advise, but to indicate that what they are currently doing isn't good enough or doesn't/shouldn't count is callous and insensitive. It is, after all, THEIR JOURNEY TO A HEALTHIER AND HAPPIER LIFE.

Vickie

I completely agree with what you are saying. I, personally, have recently been counting the calories I burned while doing these household activities. I joined this challenge to help myself stay focused on going to the gym. Then, the EXTRA calories I'm burning doing the household cleaning, etc... will be bonus for me! So, Yay! I agree that you make a very valid point though.

I don't think the original poster was making a stab at anyone, but just wanted to motivate us who count little silly stuff, like only one load of laundry...etc.

I completely agree that your activity level does warrant counting the calories burnt. I think this challenge was made just to push some of us a little further.. and only for those who chose do so!

Hope you have a wonderful day. (by the way...you are amazing! I would never know how to hang drywall.... Wonder woman!) :happy:

hunterzmomma

life will burn calories. even just sitting in front of the TV breathing requires calories. and grocery shopping and cleaning house also burns calories.

when it comes to MFP, i do not count life calories when i am looking at my food and exercise. why? because it is life. life happens and we do that daily.

exercise is purposefully movement with the intent on being healthier.

if you are one that counts your life calories as exercise, i would like to challenge you to NOT count them for the month of November. Eat healthy balanced meals (lean protein, fresh/frozen veggies and fruits, whole grains), exercise in moderation and see what the scales do for you. try this for three weeks from November 1st till Thanksgiving morning. If you don't see the scales move, then you can go back to doing what you have been doing.

we all need challenged from time to time. who's in for a November challenge?

I don't mean to be rude, here, but your "challenge" almost seems like a jab at those who choose to log calorie burn including the tasks that others might consider "life" calories. For example a 20, 30, 40 year old person may be able to accomplish a lot more than a 50, 60, 70 year old person. So, the person that is 50 years old, has identified they need to reduce their weight by 100 calories shouldn't count the calories burned doing their housework even if before they began their journey, they barely moved off of the sofa. That hardly seems fair. Also, my understanding of calorie burn is that if your heart rate is elevated for a certain length of time you are burning calories. For example, I am 56 years old, I have arthritis in both knees and problems with my lower and middle back. I usually try to walk or use the stationary bike for at least 30 minutes a day - except on the weekends. I work 10 - 12 hours a day, so cleaning the house is just not my priority during the week - I save that for the weekend. I have a very large 100 year old house that is in various stages of remodeling (most of which I do myself on the weekends). This morning, I was up at 4:00 a.m., began doing my laundry (washer and dryer are in the basement of this huge 2 story house), so I hauled the 2 large baskets of laundry (including sheets and blankets from both beds) to the basement. After that, I began cooking for the weekend/week because today my stove will be incapacitated when I begin to work on the last wall in my kitchen (one more piece of drywall to cut and put up and then 2 wall cabinets to hang - 30 and 36 inch respectively). After that, I went upstairs and flipped my extra thick mattress, then vacuumed the dog fur from my precious pet Willow off of the upstairs landing and the 16 steps that lead to the down stairs. I was definitely perspiring after all of that - so did I not burn calories? Hmm... I'm thinking that can't be right. Will I not be burning calories when I go up down the basement stairs today to collect the laundry, hang it out on the line, etc? Hmmm... I'm thinking once again - that simply can't be right. And if, at the end of the day I don't have the energy to do an additional 30 minutes of the stationary bike or walk will I have failed to "exercise" today and so can feel like I've failed to reach my goals for today?

Here is what I think, that each person absolutely MUST decide for themselves what is considered appropriate and adequate exercise for themselves. We can suggest, encourage, and advise, but to indicate that what they are currently doing isn't good enough or doesn't/shouldn't count is callous and insensitive. It is, after all, THEIR JOURNEY TO A HEALTHIER AND HAPPIER LIFE.

Vickie

I completely agree with what you are saying. I, personally, have recently been counting the calories I burned while doing these household activities. I joined this challenge to help myself stay focused on going to the gym. Then, the EXTRA calories I'm burning doing the household cleaning, etc... will be bonus for me! So, Yay! I agree that you make a very valid point though.

I don't think the original poster was making a stab at anyone, but just wanted to motivate us who count little silly stuff, like only one load of laundry...etc.

I completely agree that your activity level does warrant counting the calories burnt. I think this challenge was made just to push some of us a little further.. and only for those who chose do so!

Hope you have a wonderful day. (by the way...you are amazing! I would never know how to hang drywall.... Wonder woman!) :happy:

hunterzmomma

agreed women!

vickiele1

Just for the record, I have been working on what I WILL log as cleaning house, vigorous and carpentry general for the last 3 or so hours. I have cut and put up a piece of drywall, moved the stove, the refrigerator, a base cabinet, hung up two wall cabinets and installed two more base cabinets. Then I moved the stove and the refrigerator back into their places. After that, I cleaned up the kitchen (the mess I had made doing what I had been doing). In the mean time, I also took the clothes off of the line, and hung another load on the line. I now am moving to the bathroom where I will remove the toilet to take out what I think is a container of deodorant that is lodged in there, then put it back in place. So, I'm quite sure that by the time I am done doing my "vigorous housework" today, I will not have the energy to walk 4.0 miles per hour for 30 - 60 minutes or even to do the stationary bike for 30 minutes. I still have to clean my front porch and then make all the beds - my son and his family will be here in about 2 hours and they will be staying the night. So, while some might consider my day to be "life calories" being burned, I happen to think that it is a heck of a lot of work and I am definitely going to count the calories on my daily exercise log.

Did I mention that I am a 56 year old woman with arthritis in both knees, I live alone - have no help to do what I have done today, and I also have problems with my lower and middle back? Yep - I think I've burnt a lot of calories today and will definitely be claiming them.

Vickie

elainegsd

Vickie,
I got tired just READING all you did! Way to go! I won't count the vicarious calories, though! :laugh:

Sheepdoglady

From my personal viewpoint, I do MFP because I wanted to take a snapshot in time to see exactly how many calories I burn just living my life versus the calories I consume. Yes I have the horses, dogs, chickens and child, not to mention the active job, but if I took all that away there is NO way on earth I will go on an exercise bike, go to the gym or run - I just find all that too monotonous. If at the end of this week I find I'm gaining weight because of all the free calories I'm gaining I may start making some adjustments!

gigglygirl76

Wow! I didn't know people counted these....interesting. Like you said..that's just life.

kelsully

I typically only add in my "exercise calories" but our basement flooded once and I spent the day making trips up and down the basement stairs carrying loads of wet stuff...that day I counted vigerous cleaning...Also I never counted the days when I cut the grass and pulled a weed or two but when I prepped a whole vegetable garden using rakes and shovels etc instead of gas powered tools I counted my gardening. My mom on the other hand, is extremely overweight. If she were to push my lawn mower for 45 minutes it would be more working out than she gets in a month...she should count it...When she does a power cleaning of her house...the whole big house and she is winded when she is done...heck yeah she should count it...I think it is all relative to how much you do and what a said activity is in comparison to what you usually do on a daily basis.

SouthernBell86

Here's the thing, if you have selected Sedentary as your lifestyle, MFP DOES NOT calculate those "life calories" and I know most of my MFP friends are set to sedentary. It makes sense that if you clean once a week, that you should count those calories, because MFP has not accounted for them.

If you have selected Active, then all of your daily chores are included already.

I guess the main thing is that some of us are really not sure what lifestyle we are, it varies from day to day. We choose sedentary so that we can be honest with all those things we do from day to day, and not claim the "Active" lifestyle calories we may or may not have burned.

I think this is really all in your perspective. Because we all use MFP differently it can be confusing why one person is adding exercise calories for cooking or cleaning, the best thing is to just be honest with yourself. You don't want to eat too few calories anymore than you want to eat too many.

Beth720

I do count doing laundry for me simply because I have to walk to and from the laundromat pulling my laundry cart. It's not an every day activity - more like an every other week activity. I don't count the time I'm hanging out waiting for the laundry to get done, but getting there and getting home (stairs and multiple blocks are involved) I do count.

Texsox

The greater message in this challenge is to make certain we are not "cheating" ourselves. If you come here looking for support and a little nudge, this challenge may help *you*. Others may not need it. I never really thought about claiming mine, but I could see a day spent cleaning the garage or rebuilding a home, (I'm amazed one person did all that in one day), I may count it if only to keep from showing a non losing day. Silly but my streak is important to me and I want it to be accurate. Now I will log the nthree calories I burned while typing this lol

elainegsd

Based on the logic here, I'd have to subtract calories from my daily limit because I hire a gardener to take care of my yard... Yard work calories are part of my 1200 calories per day, right?