exercise what counts??

ShaunnaM

if i spend 30 min shaving my legs is that exercise? or what about showering? sweeping mopping dusting, gardening etc not listed with MFP but lots of other sources do . what is your take on this? if you count these as exercise in your diary on here is it double dipping ? does MFP count that stuff for us ???

AliciaNorris81

You could "technically" count that stuff, but the best way to track your every move is with a fit bit. I never count those things. There is an entry for cleaning and gardening (mowing too!) and I only enter those is it is a vigorous effort beyond my normal daily stuff. Anything else, I just take as "extra' burning without counting it.

carolemack

All those things that you mention are part of your everday life and are already taken into consideration with MFP. I only use what is over and above normal activity. So any exercise...going for a walk, a run, swimming, riding a bike, playing tennis, elliptical machine, treadmill, cardio classes, etc.

That's what I do, others may do different things. Whatever you do, good luck on your weight loss journey.

AmyRhubarb

Some of those things are in the MFP database, such as housecleaning, etc. Some people log it, some don't. For me, something that I do daily as part of my routine, like showering, dishes, or whatever, should be considered in my activity level settings rather than entered as exercise. Yes, I do exercise daily as well, but it's above and beyond my normal activity level as a stay at home mom.

Basically I wouldn't want to log a normal activity as exercise and then eat more calories than I should because of it.

Jacwhite22

If you have to ask you probably shouldn't count it. Just saying.

dad106

I view cleaning, shopping, house hold chores, chasing kids around, as a part of every day life. My thought process is, if it's something you'd normally be doing before you started exercising, then it's not exercise.

Exercise to me, is something specific that you plan to do.. like running, walking 2-3 miles, zumba, weight lifting, etc.

TanyaCurtis

Lol, exercise is going for a walk, run or jog. Or using exercise equipment or weights lol. Not daily prep or chores!!!

PLUMSGRL

if it doesn't make you sweat, don't count it.
"normal" everyday activities are already accounted for in your "activity level"

ShaunnaM

thank you every one i won't be counting the shaving showering stuff

dogacreek

I view cleaning, shopping, house hold chores, chasing kids around, as a part of every day life. My thought process is, if it's something you'd normally be doing before you started exercising, then it's not exercise.

Exercise to me, is something specific that you plan to do.. like running, walking 2-3 miles, zumba, weight lifting, etc.

^^^^^ This

meshashesha2012

you'd be cheating yourself.

SergeantSunshine_reused

how would shaving be exercise? just wondering

Hickyvikki69

i count my cleaning like once a week cuz when i clean it might be light and moderate but it will be my whole house and after that im pooped. but showering n stuff like that no. its not worth it..is it getting ur heart rate up?

taso42

Normal life activities are covered when you pick "Sedentary", "Lightly Active", "Active", "Very Active". Most people probably fall somewhere between Lightly Active and Active is my estimate.

lddavis06

I do not count anything that is already accounted for in my daily activities. I only count my "cardio" as an activity where my heat rate is at or over 120 bpm for no shorter than 20 minutes at a time, or when I am with my trainer doing strength training and I know I am burning calories. I think it is bs that you can log "grocery shopping" as a cardio activity... Unless you are skipping and jumping and lunging down the isles... That's my 2 cents.

Jorra

I personally wouldn't count any of those things. They are part of your daily life, not deliberate exercise.

How do you shave? I'm starting to think I'm doing it wrong.

simplysassi

Honestly... all those activities do burn calories. Merely breathing and being alive does too. But keep in mind that MFP already takes into account that you are at a certain activity level, so much of the normal day to day activities are already factored in. If you do some serious house cleaning like going up and down a ladder to wash windows, or wash and vacuum a car, or something that you actually work yourself into a sweat ..then you might consider adding those activities as extra. It does really depend on what your activity level is set at on MFP already. And I would suggest only counting those that involve actually working yourself into a sweat and having an elevated heart rate.

Just my opinion. Hope it helps.

liog

Usually I only count workouts, meaning, when I get my workout clothes on and my HRM and exercise. Sometimes I count walking if I happen to be doing a lot of it like at the zoo for hours and hours, but then I usually cut the MFP calories burned in half.

dinosnopro

it seems like a stretch to count shaving and showering.

MoreBean13

I don't count anything but "intentional" exercise. However, I have wanted to count straightening my hair- it can take 2 hrs and is an endurance arm workout!

wellbert

how would shaving be exercise? just wondering

maybe she's hairy like a yeti and has to use a push mower.

Shock_Wave

how would shaving be exercise? just wondering

If she had to do it under a certain time limit shaving like hundreds of people.

Jorra

how would shaving be exercise? just wondering

If she had to do it under a certain time limit shaving like hundreds of people.

Her time limit is 30 minutes.

LovingLisa2012

All those things that you mention are part of your everday life and are already taken into consideration with MFP. I only use what is over and above normal activity. So any exercise...going for a walk, a run, swimming, riding a bike, playing tennis, elliptical machine, treadmill, cardio classes, etc.

That's what I do, others may do different things. Whatever you do, good luck on your weight loss journey.

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