What do you class as exercise?

racheljoanne

Hi, im quite new to this and i'm just wondering do people only log fitness classes/dvd's, going to the gym etc as exercise or do you include other things such as work, housework and shopping etc...

Thanks

LavenderBouquet

I usually take things into consideration that I don't normally do in my daily routine. So if I vacuum the whole house once/twice a month, I would log that. But if I normally walk around at school for an hour or so 5x a week, I don't log that. I hope that helps a bit!

Oh, I should clarify I guess. I do log working out, even though that's part of my normal day! I guess what I'm trying to say is that I log workouts as well as other things which aren't normal routine!

engineman312

i only count cleaning, rolling yarn, grocery shopping, and light walking.

mandycasey

I don't count walking up the school everyday, cleaning or shopping. I only count real exercise.

themommie

I dont count normal cleaning or things that are part of my normal routine except for going to the gym, my walks, etc. but if it is deep cleaning, or something like that then I do log it. I hope that makes sense

dakitten2

I only count things that are above and beyond my normal daily activities that I was doing prior to starting MFP. For example, if I was cooking before and say burning 150 calories and after starting MFP I'm still cooking and burning 150 calories. That is not really an exercise for me. According to my nutritionist (who I asked this very same question), I should only be counting those things that are above and beyond normal daily activities such as cleaning, cooking, dusting, general housework. I think if you do count those type of items you shouldnt eat those calories back or you may find the scale going in the wrong direction.

LorinaLynn

At first, I listed myself as sedentary and counted EVERYTHING. Then I listed myself more accurately as lightly active and only logged actual exercise, or activities above and beyond normal activity. I'll log mowing the lawn, shoveling the sidewalks, extreme cleaning (like when the inlaws are visiting) or rearranging furniture.

racheljoanne

Thanks for the help guys.
I work at a nursery so I find my job can be quite active at times. I also walk to work every day but i have always done this so I dont think il count it as exercise.

When you log exercise are you meant to eat those calories as extra? I don't understand how that works?
Ah well what i was doing wasn't working so il give it a try i suppose

ejohndrow

i only count cleaning, rolling yarn, grocery shopping, and light walking.

How about sitting quietly and cashiering?

sjtreely

I only count movement as exercise when I have my HRM on. I don't wear my HRM to clean, shop, or the occasional squats when I'm waiting for the microwave to ding.

fiberartist219

I only log activity that I wasn't doing when I gained the weight.

HonkyTonks

Heart rate up + sweat (cardio)
Push myself (strength)

Athena413

i only count cleaning, rolling yarn, grocery shopping, and light walking.

:laugh:

I personally think you're just cheating yourself when you count stuff that is in your normal realm of activities. Especially since when you set up your MFP account you should have already accounted for your normal daily activity in your settings. I only count the things that REALLY take some effort.

ksloop00

I log any kind of exercise. I'm confined to a wheelchair and work at a hospital and wheel a lot. I wear a stopwatch that counts my calories. I also lift weights and do crunches and pull-ups.