Pet Peeve - logging non 'exercise' exercise

rml_16

*sigh*

I'm glad my mom has no clue how to find a forum thread. She's already embarrassed about how little she can do even just around her tiny one bedroom apartment (she has degenerative disc disease and is on disability for it), if she saw this or the other posts I've seen like it, she'd never do anything out of discouragement.

I'm glad the OP got to vent her feelings tho. That is the point of the forums.

You mean like the chick a couple weeks ago who was annoyed by any exercise logged that's less than a 500-calorie burn?

I guess my 45-minute, all-out sprint on the elliptical doesn't count, since it was only 418 calories. ;-)

airind

Unless it's causing you to not lose weight (or gain it), why in the world would it drive you crazy?

I don't log those things, but it's none of my business if someone else does.

Because as a personal trainer, I see it all the time. People don't understand why they aren't losing weight when they are 'burning' so many calories. Or why they still have health concerns when they are so 'active'. I don't know any trainer that would consider making dinner part of the daily recommended exercise. It's great as an above and beyond thing, but unless you are raising that heart rate and intentionally making the effort to burn extra calories - it's not the kind of exercise that boasts health benefits.

anulle2009

I dont log stuff like that, unless i go to a fair or something and haev done LOTS of walking. other than that to me it seems like normal burn of every day cals. just like when i play with my daughter outside and run around. i dont log that either. In my eyes i dont want to log it and say oo i have 100 extra cals now to eat.. i rather not eat them!

MiNiMoNkI

Pet Peeve............People whinging about how other people do it....FYI i log housework and ive had a succesful lost of 30llbs in 5 moths! you do what you do and i'll do what i do!

anulle2009

I usually only log strenuous cleaning....like mowing my lawn with a push mower for over an hour in my hilly yard. I wear my HRM and burn well over 300 calories doing it. I log that because i know its going to make me a little more hungry that day.
Just sweeping the kitchen floor quick....no. That doesnt cause me to break a sweat or get my heart pumping.

Oh gosh i add mowing the lawn to mine! i burn alot we have a huge yard, with hills, i sweat sometimes more than when i work out!

SenoraMacias

I definitely log my cleaning. I do it once a week, and it takes a good hour. I work up a sweat, and go up and down my stairs a zillion times. Not sure why it bothers anybody else!

loriannmartin

I don't see an issue with it. There are some who are very heavy or who cannot physically go work out or get exercise in like others can so food preperation and cleaning or any other "light" activity to you all is very beneficial for them. It's sad that someone out there who can only do those things or that may have a handicapt and not be able to do other things will read this post and may become discouraged like myself, b/c of the lack of support for the activity they are trying to do. if it's that bad of a pet peeve you know you don't have to look at it or be friends with anyone who logs that kind of activity. Enjoy your day

love it cause i cant do things due to my back and currently being on restrictions so for me walking on crutches, taking a shower is a flippen work out~~~~~ for me if i do things i am counting it as exercise cause i have physical limitations,..

fas815

U go girl!!! How a person chooses to eat,exercise, log in their activities...AS LONG AS THEY ARE LOSING WEIGHT...why should it matter to any one else. Thanks for that!

VeganGal84

Some of us slobs need the motivation of calories burned to put effort into our housework! :laugh:

Since logging my cleaning, my house has been much cleaner. Whatever works, right?

rml_16

Unless it's causing you to not lose weight (or gain it), why in the world would it drive you crazy?

I don't log those things, but it's none of my business if someone else does.

Because as a personal trainer, I see it all the time. People don't understand why they aren't losing weight when they are 'burning' so many calories. Or why they still have health concerns when they are so 'active'. I don't know any trainer that would consider making dinner part of the daily recommended exercise. It's great as an above and beyond thing, but unless you are raising that heart rate and intentionally making the effort to burn extra calories - it's not the kind of exercise that boasts health benefits.

If a person is having trouble and asks your advice, you give it and that person argues and continues the same behavior, then I can see being annoyed.

However, if they didn't ask, it's nunya and you should probably keep it to yourself. A lot of people log those calories and have success.

msblueyes5

Why does it matter what someone else wants to log or not log as exercise? Everyone has their own reasons. Some people chose to log less than they actually do, so maybe the did more than "light" cleaning, but dont want to over estimate because they dont have a hrm, or maybe they use that to prompt themselves to do more housework. Maybe they have their activity set to sedentary, so that everything over that is extra. Maybe they don't even eat that back anyway, but still like to log it. Maybe they are recovering from an injury, or sickness, or have a debilitating condition so that all they can do is light, and everything is an achievement. Let people use this tool as a tool, how best works for them. You use it how you want too.

This!!

NewVonnie

Yep, it does come off as rude. and negative and judgemental and very discouraging to read for people who may be limited in what they can do for whatever reason and can only accomplish things like "light housecleaning" or "playing on the beach with her kids" It's not for you to say what counts as exercise for them. People come here for support and when they read that they go from being happy with the progress they've made to feeling like crap..SMH

agthorn

Hey, I logged various forms of "playing on the beach" when I was on vacation! In my normal 9-5 I am the textbook definition of sedentary - I get up to go to the lunchroom and the bathroom. I figured being out on the beach for several hours a day playing frisbee, bocce, swimming, boogie boarding, etc was ALL above my normal daily activities!

MiNiMoNkI

U go girl!!! How a person chooses to eat,exercise, log in their activities...AS LONG AS THEY ARE LOSING WEIGHT...why should it matter to any one else. Thanks for that!

Too right! x

charityateet

Unless it's causing you to not lose weight (or gain it), why in the world would it drive you crazy?

I don't log those things, but it's none of my business if someone else does.

Because as a personal trainer, I see it all the time. People don't understand why they aren't losing weight when they are 'burning' so many calories. Or why they still have health concerns when they are so 'active'. I don't know any trainer that would consider making dinner part of the daily recommended exercise. It's great as an above and beyond thing, but unless you are raising that heart rate and intentionally making the effort to burn extra calories - it's not the kind of exercise that boasts health benefits.

Cool. So when someone comes to you asking your oppinion as to why they are not losing weight - you can say "because you are not working hard enough" but until then, to just throw out *it bugs me when people log cleaning calories* or whatever c*ap you said.....is pretty damn rude.

P.S. I don't log cleaning calories, I only log my time in the gym, but who the HELL am I to judge someone who does?
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fas815

U go girl!!! How a person chooses to eat,exercise, log in their activities...AS LONG AS THEY ARE LOSING WEIGHT...why should it matter to any one else. Thanks for that!

AngieMMc

I generally log only the activities I do specifically to burn calories like working out at the gym. I do however, log my mowing once a week as exercise because #1 I spend over an hour mowing two yards with a push mower and I end up drenched in sweat and it really get my heart rate up #2 I just started this activity solely for the purpose of burning calories otherwise I would just let my husband continue to do it (haha that's bad I know but I do all the housework). I don't choose to log house cleaning but I will admit that I used to when i first started and before I lost 58 lbs. Now that I've lost 58 lbs and have began a workout routine involving "in the gym" type activities, I don't log those things anymore.

rml_16

Hey, I logged various forms of "playing on the beach" when I was on vacation! In my normal 9-5 I am the textbook definition of sedentary - I get up to go to the lunchroom and the bathroom. I figured being out on the beach for several hours a day playing frisbee, bocce, swimming, boogie boarding, etc was ALL above my normal daily activities!

Clearly, whoever has an issue with logging playing on the beach has never tried to walk, much less play, on dry sand.

Also, I have some pretty majorly strong abs, but a day of jumping waves in the Atlantic leaves me with some very sore ab muscles. Clearly, it's effective.

sunkisses

Yay! More from the pages of Tales About Things Other People Do That Don't Affect Me.

airind

Whew!

I will say I find it ironic that I've heard that "this is supposed to be a supportive site" on more than one post, all of which are anything but supportive of my own opinion. If this is supposed to be supportive, let's be that, shall we?

I will also say that I didn't really clarify my own post. I understand that very obese people require small movements to make progress, and that going up the stairs may be a major milestone. The people that I see making these posts are NOT anywhere near this area, in fact are quite fit already. I would never knock someone who struggles to take every step for logging this kind of activity. However, for a fit person to log making dinner and consider that their recommended exercise for the day? My only concern is that they truly feel this is the same as going for a run or lifting weights. My HRM will show me burning calories just by sitting here typing this, but I haven't met anyone yet who would consider typing an exercise.

My post was inspired by my home page of the last few days, where all the posts revolve around food preparation logs. A pet peeve is just that, a minor annoyance, and don't worry - I'm not spending too much energy worrying about it. It took me all of 1 min to write a quick note about it, get it out and move on, probably less time than many of you spent getting upset with me for voicing it.

To each their own for sure. My opinion doesn't change, to me - especially if you are already in healthy weight range or only slightly overweight - every day activities like sweeping or making dinner simply do not and should not count. I am not talking about full top to bottom house cleaning, or catering a wedding of 500. There are always exceptions.

Tobi1013

Some good reading for those who get so annoyed about what others log as exercise:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/291071-activity-level-and-logging-exercise

phoenix9115

personal trainer or not,this IS rude,and unnessesary.If these light duties didnt burn calories than they wouldnt be on the site,period.everyone lives their lives differently.i live on the 3rd floor with a complete *kitten* living under my so i cant do any exercise videos or even use my wii fit because he comes up screaming at me for shaking the house..I also live in not the best town where i cannot take a walk in my neighborhood,and am a stay at home mom with my 2 year old so going to the gym is not really something i can get into my day.I clean up after her constantly,wash dishes 3 times a day,do laundry everyday and by the end of the day im pretty pooped..I will be DAMNED if i am going to let some judgemental high and mighty personal trainer tell me or anyone else that cleaning all day long and running around after a 2 year old doesnt count as any excercise..I dont add in the exercise calories to my diet i dont eat them back,but i log them in to feel i accomplished something during the day..i have one thing to say to you and anyone else on this site who downs people who add cleaning as exercise..F*** you..get off your high horse,mind your own f***ing business or get the f*** off this site..it is for supporting people and giving other people respect and helping them along their daily lives,not to sift through and see what annoys you about other peoples lives..get a life and personally train yourself to shut the f*** up.

mandapanda001

I think it doesn't really matter and I truly think that if they are logging it because they are motivated than that is a step in the right direction, I mean who are we to down people for logging any kind of exercise. Just my opinion. When I clean my house, I don't just do 15 minutes, I do like 90 + minutes so you bet I will log that. To each his own I think...

Pete_Mann

I'm going to log in my exercise journal that I replied to this topic.

love it ;o)

I totally did too! Now I got an extra calorie to eat back.

I'm just having a little fun with the OP. For me, if I do something outside of my normal daily activity I usually log it. Though, I don't really have an opinion on what others log. If it works for them, then I'm 100% supportive.

RhonndaJ

I have to admit, I've seen things logged that make me stop and wonder, but when it comes down to it, each journey is personal, and if it's working for that person, then it's working. That simple.

EuroDriver

oh man when i posted something like this i got like 9-10 pages of people trying to mouth me that, thats the ONLY activity they can do because of health issiues, weight, etc...

IMO!!!!! did u cook food before? did you clean your house before? did you go for a 5min walk before? yes? well then why are you still unhealthy? what makes you think that you logging those same things you did before will all off a sudden make you healthier or make u loose weight? exercise..... thats the only way to do it... and yes if you cant run 30-40min because of health issiues go for a 1 hour walk.. if you cant walk that long.. go for a 10min walk, rest for 10min then walk another 10 min... only way to get better... if u just sit and clean ur house once a week isnt going to make a diffrance

jayb0ne

I log if it's well outside my normal daily activity. And I only log half because MFP over-estimates.

Example - Last week I spent 4 hours gardening (fairly strenuous digging etc) which I logged as 2 hours of gardening.

Example - A few weeks ago I spent 6 hours walking around a theme park up and down hills which I logged as 3 hours of walking.

Walking around the shops for 2 hours I wouldn't log as I do it every week so it's part of my regular activity.

Cleaning the house for an hour or 2 on a Saturday I wouldn't log as it's just going from room to room which I'd probably be doing for one reason or another even if I wasn't cleaning.

My take on it is that my activity level (sedentary) takes into account anything from sitting on the couch all day to normal daily tasks and chores. Anything I log would have to take me above what I consider my regular sedentary lifestyle.

AngieMMc

Whew!

Yes.....yes I totally agree with this comment. Wow.

rml_16

oh man when i posted something like this i got like 9-10 pages of people trying to mouth me that, thats the ONLY activity they can do because of health issiues, weight, etc...

IMO!!!!! did u cook food before? did you clean your house before? did you go for a 5min walk before? yes? well then why are you still unhealthy? what makes you think that you logging those same things you did before will all off a sudden make you healthier or make u loose weight? exercise..... thats the only way to do it... and yes if you cant run 30-40min because of health issiues go for a 1 hour walk.. if you cant walk that long.. go for a 10min walk, rest for 10min then walk another 10 min... only way to get better... if u just sit and clean ur house once a week isnt going to make a diffrance

I gained 10 pounds while running/walking 42 miles-plus a week. Maybe I shouldn't count that, either?

FearAnLoathing

Why is is people always got to stick their noses in other peoples *kitten*? Does it impact you in anyway when people log this stuff?

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/291071-activity-level-and-logging-exercise?page=1#posts-3845881