The Issue of Exercise Logging

jmv7117

Quite often it comes up on the forums that activities such as housework should not be logged as exercise. I totally disagree! Your diary is yours to log as you see fit. No one should be commenting or shaming your logging UNLESS you have asked for advice. Log any activity you want. Contrary to some belief many 'not formal exercise' activities burn just as many calories and can increase your overall fitness as 'formal exercise' can. I honestly don't get the 'don't log the 200 calories you burnt doing heavy cleaning' but 'log the 200 calories you burnt riding a bike'. As long as you are getting good results with your weight loss, no problem. However, in addition to logging activity such as heavy housework, you should also be including formal exercise such as cardio and strength.

That being said, I have my activity level at moderate which would include all of my normal activity so I don't log something like washing dishes or doing laundry or even general cleaning. However, I do log cleaning that is above my normal level. I have to prep (close up) and open two houses twice a year which is a massive undertaking so I log that. I log spring and fall cleaning. I don't care what anyone says, cleaning a house from ceiling to floor, inside all cabinets, closets, scrubbing down the bathrooms and more all in one short is massive work and definitely a high calorie burner. Today, I will be logging preparing and planting my garden beds (heavy work that does work several muscle groups) but won't log regular garden maintenance even though it is more than my normal winter activities. Guess what? I could even log my crochet at 26 calories per hour. For those who don't crochet, then you have no idea of the muscles it works but it does. If someone doesn't like that I log this, not that they will see it because my diary is private, my reply to them would be 'you do you, I'll do me'.

For some folks logging something as simple as housework is a visual that they are taking action. It becomes a motivator to do more. So to all the folks doing the shaming, shame on you! To the folks being shamed for how they are logging their diaries, set your diary to private

JoRocka

Which is all very well and good until same said person comes back asking why they aren't losing weight when they are eating back over inflated calories.


I don't have an issue with the logging- but most people are less than honest with the amount of work that goes into it.
And some people use TDEE- and some people use the add back in/eat back method. So you can't really say based on how they log - you're right that is up to them- but if they have settled on TDEE and then are eating back added on extra calories- again you get stalled loss.

but your over all point is valid. it's not yours don't worry about it.

jmv7117

Which is all very well and good until same said person comes back asking why they aren't losing weight when they are eating back over inflated calories.


I don't have an issue with the logging- but most people are less than honest with the amount of work that goes into it.
And some people use TDEE- and some people use the add back in/eat back method. So you can't really say based on how they log - you're right that is up to them- but if they have settled on TDEE and then are eating back added on extra calories- again you get stalled loss.

but your over all point is valid. it's not yours don't worry about it.

Wearing a HRM would give a better calorie burn for activities like heavy housework or home repair although would not really factor in any heavy lifting. Really though, the folks who use a HRM are doing so for fitness and from experience, they are more accurate than some of the database values.

thavoice

Which is all very well and good until same said person comes back asking why they aren't losing weight when they are eating back over inflated calories.


I don't have an issue with the logging- but most people are less than honest with the amount of work that goes into it.
And some people use TDEE- and some people use the add back in/eat back method. So you can't really say based on how they log - you're right that is up to them- but if they have settled on TDEE and then are eating back added on extra calories- again you get stalled loss.

but your over all point is valid. it's not yours don't worry about it.

I agree.

For me, personally, yard work and housework are just bonuses up and beyond and I dont log and certainly dont eat back those calories. Some people get all gung ho in logging, and then eating back, calories from things like housework and such. In reality, much of it doesnt burn a whole heck of alot in the grand scheme of things and to me, just like how I will round up calories on some items and be very conservative on exercise calories logging......built in bonuses in a good way.

brower47

Which is all very well and good until same said person comes back asking why they aren't losing weight when they are eating back over inflated calories.


I don't have an issue with the logging- but most people are less than honest with the amount of work that goes into it.
And some people use TDEE- and some people use the add back in/eat back method. So you can't really say based on how they log - you're right that is up to them- but if they have settled on TDEE and then are eating back added on extra calories- again you get stalled loss.

but your over all point is valid. it's not yours don't worry about it.

I agree.

For me, personally, yard work and housework are just bonuses up and beyond and I dont log and certainly dont eat back those calories. Some people get all gung ho in logging, and then eating back, calories from things like housework and such. In reality, much of it doesnt burn a whole heck of alot in the grand scheme of things and to me, just like how I will round up calories on some items and be very conservative on exercise calories logging......built in bonuses in a good way.

I'm the same way. I don't log my gardening, mowing (non riding mower) or my housework. All three of those cause me to work up a sweat (unless I'm dusting/folding clothes). I may give myself an extra 100-200 calorie treat at the end of the day if it was a particularly successful home work day (4+ hours) and log an extra mile of walking to account for it but even that's rare.

It really depends on if they person has their activity set to sedentary or not and if they are overestimating those calories burned by those various activities. I've seen people log 1000+ for a few hours of housework. Maybe they clean house differently than I do and achieve those burns but it's unlikely. As long as someone is being honest and intelligent about their logging, then it doesn't matter.

I don't comment on people's burn counts or diary entries unless they ask, either on their wall or in the forums. I'm glad to play the supportive MFP friend or forum user but I won't be that busy body that feels the need to get into everyone's business just because I would do it differently. Unsolicited advice rarely hits home anyway and is more likely to make someone defensive and even less receptive to changes in behavior.

Thus ends my two cents.

DeputyWoody

I log some activities, such as mowing, yard work, or canoeing or whatever cause I enjoy logging. BUT I do NOT eat those calories back. I really try not to follow the calories burned on here because they seem pretty distorted. But it does encourage me to work out more!! Cause I enjoy feeling like I've accomplished something when I do my workouts and cardio. Either way though, I don't think negative comments are appropriate on other people's logs....ever. Just sayin.