Physically Active Job-Pet Grooming, and Bathing

aleanay
aleanay Posts: 8
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello all, so I am a professional dog(and cat) bather for a local salon, on average we get fifteen to twenty dogs a day, from yorkie and maltese(2-10lbs+) to Newfies and Labra(or Golden)doodles (70-100+lbs) and it includes wrestling with them for nails, lifting in and out of an elevated bathtub, brushing, blowdrying, and more depending on the dog and the day. On my feet anywhere from 8 to 10 hours a day, just doing that, not including cleaning the shop afterwards. So this involves a lot of pulling, lifting, stretching, overhead reaching and pushing/dragging motions.

How would I calculate that up for calories and daily exercise? I'm pretty new to the whole calorie counting thing though I've been trying, with moderate success, for years to just watch my food intake. But with this program I'm trying to get serious about it all. Any help or advice would be great, thank you!

Replies

  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    What did you choice as your activity level? Moderate?
  • aleanay
    aleanay Posts: 8
    I haven't really picked anything yet, I haven't been adding it because I don't know how to add it all up accurately.
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    Well the way MFP calculations work is you put your daily activity (this would be your job and chores you do on a regular basis in your activity level, so for you moderately active would be a good place to start). Then you log any exercise you do in addiiton to normal activity (so if you go for a run or have a nice ride on your gorgeous horse) . MFP will add the exercise you log to your daily goal.

    There are lots of equations out there, the thing you have to remember is they are all estimates, and sometimes it is hard to know exactly what you are burning depending on the type of activity. A good plan often requires a bit of trial an error, set your goal, give it 6 weeks, and see if you are actually getting the result you expect or not. If not then it might need some adjusting.

    These are two posts I always suggest beginners read:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide

    If you need more specific help with setting a goal feel free to friend me or send me a message.
  • aleanay
    aleanay Posts: 8
    Thank you, and I wish he was mine haha. That is Pal, a 6666 Quarter Horse I saw at Road to the Horse, but I do ride when I get the chance. I'll take a look at those links. Thanks for all the help.

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