how to count calories for an unusually active day

mielikkibz

My normal life is sitting at a computer desk all day, 8-4:30.

But, I've got a LONG tiring weekend coming up. . the day starts at o dark thirty(6 am) and will probably run til about 6 pm. . I will be on my feet and moving quite a bit, sitting on my butt a bit, walking dogs, etc. I know wearing my HRM for 12 hrs is useless. . .should I just wear a pedometer and go with the calories I burn that way for the day? (I can easily walk 6-10 miles if not more in a day at these events) or will it really not matter if for those two days I just stay in my calorie limit and not bother counting the exercise calories?

Planning my meals now, trying to figure out things that dont need to be cooked since I'll be living in a hotel for two days:) giving myself one 'splurge' meal for dinner(will get back to the hotel too damn tired, so a thin crust small pizza to spread across two-three days), but am going to pick up a huge veggie tray boiled eggs, lots of water, some sort of chippy thing. . .

anubis609

You COULD wear the HRM all day, but just pause it during downtime and restart it when activity picks up enough to get your HR up...that's the only plausible suggestion I have if you don't have an all-day device like BodyBugg or something similar. I wouldn't discount the calorie burn in the day, seeing as how it's not exactly a daily routine, your body will still be creating a deficit from activity. Maybe others will suggest something a bit better, but for now, that's my opinion on it. Have a good weekend.

epj78

I usually don't count days that are abnormally active as being more active. If I do any purposefully exercise on those days - I certainly count it, but if it's just additional steps - I don't. I figure it's just a bonus. You'd be surprised by how little more you actually burn doing moderate walking. Now, if its running - completely different story!! I find the difference is only about 300-400 calories on days when I sit all day and days where I'm active for an additional 5-8 miles at a moderate pace (i.e. shopping type of pace) - fyi - normal days I walk about 3 miles of "non exercise" steps.

Hope that helps. Good luck at the hotel!! I think it sounds like you have a great plan for the hotel eating! Fruit also travels well - apples and oranges!

momma3sweetgirls

If it was me, I'd probably not record anything. I'm lazy:ohwell:

mielikkibz

ROFL Momma, I'm tempted not to, as it's only two days and just try to stay under 1500 calories(right now I'm setup for like 1350). yeah, thinking of fruits too, just trying to think of ones i like that dont need to be cut, I LOVE melons but they're so messy when you're traveling with 6 dogs LOL

On a joke, I looked to see if I could rent a body bugg for the weekend, you can!!!

http://www.bodybuggrental.com/

mielikkibz

Now, if its running - completely different story!! I find the difference is only about 300-400 calories on days when I sit all day and days where I'm active for an additional 5-8 miles at a moderate pace (i.e. shopping type of pace) - fyi - normal days I walk about 3 miles of "non exercise" steps.

It won't be running, but it will be walking 5 dogs quite a bit in that day. .. big national event, hoping they do well, and hoping I don't fall off the wagon in exhaustion!