Do You Log Fun Activities?

lukeout007

Just a question...sometimes my wife and I will take our son to the Zoo or aquarium, or we'll go spend a day in Seattle walking around and looking at shops and checking out restaurants...Does anyone log these kinds of things as far as the walking goes? For instance if I go to the zoo and we spend 2 hours walking around looking at animals should I be logging 2 hours of walking?

lukeout007

Bump...

feb06momma

I spent about 3 hours at the zoo today, but I know a bit of that was stopping, waiting, etc. so I logged 1.5 hours of walking at a slow pace. I figure everything counts, even the fun stuff!

itsshadowwithane

i do..i just make sure not to over-estimate calorie burns

zafferFL

Its really up to you, if you think it counts as exercise then go for it. Just bear in mind that if you are not actually burning those calories and you eat them back then you are actually in surplus instead of deficit.

Logging alone does nothing for you. What happens in the real world is what counts.

UponThisRock

IMO, logging that kind of stuff is nitpicking

lukeout007

Its really up to you, if you think it counts as exercise then go for it. Just bear in mind that if you are not actually burning those calories and you eat them back then you are actually in surplus instead of deficit.

Logging alone does nothing for you. What happens in the real world is what counts.

That whole response was confusing...

bethvandenberg

I don't count any of it b/c I figured I always did that and it's in my activity level. Does that make sense? I only count a workout or a special thing (like say a hike with a friend) as exercise

engineman312

Its really up to you, if you think it counts as exercise then go for it. Just bear in mind that if you are not actually burning those calories and you eat them back then you are actually in surplus instead of deficit.

Logging alone does nothing for you. What happens in the real world is what counts.

That whole response was confusing...

she meant that you can try and trick your diary, but you can't trick your body.

pdworkman

This is one thing that I really like my FitBit for. I don't have to figure out how much time I was walking or how intense it was. The FitBit automatically logs it and adjusts my MFP accordingly. Great for those grocery store trips - how far did I really walk going up and down all those aisles?

lucyford22

Its really up to you, if you think it counts as exercise then go for it. Just bear in mind that if you are not actually burning those calories and you eat them back then you are actually in surplus instead of deficit.

Logging alone does nothing for you. What happens in the real world is what counts.

That whole response was confusing...

hahaha.

carrie_eggo

Its really up to you, if you think it counts as exercise then go for it. Just bear in mind that if you are not actually burning those calories and you eat them back then you are actually in surplus instead of deficit.

Logging alone does nothing for you. What happens in the real world is what counts.

That whole response was confusing...

I think it means this: If you really think that an activity can actually count as a "workout," then fine. But would you really get done gardening or bowling and be like "Whew. What an awesome workout!!" ?? Be honest with yourself as to what counts as a workout, and what is just living life.

lukeout007

Its really up to you, if you think it counts as exercise then go for it. Just bear in mind that if you are not actually burning those calories and you eat them back then you are actually in surplus instead of deficit.

Logging alone does nothing for you. What happens in the real world is what counts.

That whole response was confusing...

she meant that you can try and trick your diary, but you can't trick your body.

Why would I want to trick my diary? That would be counter productive...

yoovie

THey were saying that if you log that stuff- but you didnt really burn as much as you think you did- like if you were actually walking a mile an hour instead of 2- it can bite you back.

My choice is to log that stuff- especially cause Im a pedestrian in NYC and I walk alot out of necessity- but I dont eat more- just in case.

I also log sex as 'gardening' cause it burns the same cals.

trijoe

Its really up to you, if you think it counts as exercise then go for it. Just bear in mind that if you are not actually burning those calories and you eat them back then you are actually in surplus instead of deficit.

Logging alone does nothing for you. What happens in the real world is what counts.

I agree.
Personally? Working out IS fun. Going to the zoo with the wife and kids is all part of the joy of having a family. Making the morning coffee is kind of exciting too, but I don't log that either. But that's just me.

Why not workout BEFORE going to the zoo, then use the zoo as a way to recover?

lukeout007

Its really up to you, if you think it counts as exercise then go for it. Just bear in mind that if you are not actually burning those calories and you eat them back then you are actually in surplus instead of deficit.

Logging alone does nothing for you. What happens in the real world is what counts.

That whole response was confusing...

I think it means this: If you really think that an activity can actually count as a "workout," then fine. But would you really get done gardening or bowling and be like "Whew. What an awesome workout!!" ?? Be honest with yourself as to what counts as a workout, and what is just living life.

Well up until I started exercising recently...yes. I spent 90% of my free time sitting on the couch. Walking around the zoo for several hours is (or was...haven't been in awhile) exhausting for me. Same with bowling, intense cleaning, etc.

sculley

I only count those things because I'm set to sedatary and only allotted 1200 calories a day but I only eat about a quarter of the calories back that is supposedly burned. Guess it depends on the person situation

SassyCalyGirl

why not try just enjoying fun activities! If you have to dig that deep for a calorie burn-I don't consider it EXERCISE.

lukeout007

I also log sex as 'gardening' cause it burns the same cals.

Really? I created an exercise for it but have avoided logging it due to the news feed...

shine_

I don't log that kind of stuff because they're things I would have done before I started this journey anyway if that makes sense. I only log actual exercise that I know I had not done if it wasn't for the lifestyle change.

IronmanPanda

I only log my actual workouts.

lukeout007

I only count those things because I'm set to sedatary and only allotted 1200 calories a day but I only eat about a quarter of the calories back that is supposedly burned. Guess it depends on the person situation

I'm set at sedentary as well and I make sure not to eat my calories I burn back.

hottamolly00

Yep. It counts.

carrie_eggo

I only count those things because I'm set to sedatary and only allotted 1200 calories a day but I only eat about a quarter of the calories back that is supposedly burned. Guess it depends on the person situation

I'm set at sedentary as well and I make sure not to eat my calories I burn back.

If you don't eat back the calories why would it matter then?

hottamolly00

You're burning the calories, and if you're sedentary, technically your body would need those calories eaten back, so yes. That is why I count mine.

seattlerain

Nah, I consider it a bonus.

I just visited the Seattle Aquarium and waterfront last week!

lukeout007

I only count those things because I'm set to sedatary and only allotted 1200 calories a day but I only eat about a quarter of the calories back that is supposedly burned. Guess it depends on the person situation

I'm set at sedentary as well and I make sure not to eat my calories I burn back.

If you don't eat back the calories why would it matter then?

Because I keep track of my fitness as well.

Michelle9939

I just log actual exercise.

lukeout007

Nah, I consider it a bonus.

I just visited the Seattle Aquarium and waterfront last week!

Nice! I'm guessing by the username we're both from Seattle...

Bikini27

Nope, I quit logging walking my dogs or even my insane shopping trips because they are things I have always done.

Plus, takes all the fun out of it when you're looking at your HRM instead of just enjoying what's around you.

SassyCalyGirl

I also log sex as 'gardening' cause it burns the same cals.

that's very very sad. Must really make a partner proud when someone straps on that HR monitor for sex instead of just enjoying it! Wow-people never cease to amaze me!