SHOULD I ADD MY HOUSEHOLD CHORES TO MY EXCERCISE?

BackTatJIM

Should I be adding things like mow the lawn or clean my yard to my exercise? I mean if I am off work for the day I need to make up for it by staying active so it seems pointless to add it to me..... any thoughts??

BackTatJIM

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prism6

If it is something that is keeping you active, why not?

ndbex

I always record mine, when I remember to do it.

baseballmom1031

I add my housecleaning. I think I get my best workout from cleaning house.

momma_a

I clean my house every Thursday, and I add my calories burned in from that.

cm1458

I usually do. I think that if I am are burning calories doing it, especially if its 100+, then it counts

BackTatJIM

well when you start mfp and you put what kind of job you have into your settings it modifies your calorie goal for every day, but my days off I will not get the normal activity of work so I would assume I need be active on my days off or eat less calories on my day off .... maybe I am putting to much thought into this

impyimpyaj

What is your activity level set to?

mfp_junkie

No.

dansls1

What is your job? I end up walking a couple miles every day, so I don't count housework in - but I do count mowing as it's a much more strenuous activity than I would ever do during a normal day (above my light activity level).

BackTatJIM

my activity on this is at active .. i work in a deli 5 days a week all 9 hr shifts 8 on my feet always moving

impyimpyaj

my activity on this is at active

Then no.

jodycoady

OF COURSE!

I log walking my son to school back and forth several times a day, even though it's leisure.

And not only that 20 mins of vacuuming, esp the stairs, is a burner...don;t use that excuse to eat a cupcake though

jenj1313

If I have to miss a workout to do those things (due to time restrictions), I wear my heart rate monitor and log it. Otherwise, I don't. It also depends on whether you're eating back your exercise calories or not. My calorie goal is the same everyday, exercise or not, so if I log it, it's just for personal satisfaction.

Just do what feels right for you!

simplydelish2

Only if your calories are based on a sedentary lifestyle. If they are based on active...don't count them again.

heatherk21

I don't think so.

lisapr123

It's the million dollar question....

My answer:

--If I was doing it before, and not losing weight, I generally don't add it. This is cooking, cleaning, mowing the lawn, etc...

--UNLESS I am unable to do a "workout" because I spent the day doing household chores. Example: If I work a 9 hour day then come home and then cook & clean (1-2 hrs), mow my lawn (2 hrs), and tend to my garden (1 hr), there is NO WAY I have time for a "normal workout" as well. So I'll take that 4-5 hours of activity and log it as an hour of lawn mowing.

This is what works for me. I generally "eat back" about half of my exercise calories.

On the flip side I have MFP pals who seem to add every single moment of anything that is not sitting at a desk or couch, and then proceed to eat every single calorie back. But honestly, we're all losing! It just seems to me like a lot of work to log "30 minutes cooking" followed by "60 minutes cleaning, light", etc....

MoreBean13

Since you're set to "active" it would be double-dipping to add any activity that equals your normal activity level. I would only add "intentional" exercise, above and beyond your normal daily activity.

BackTatJIM

Thanks everyone I was already leaning towards not adding them. I guess since mfp has me listed as active everyday, I shouldn't have to add things I do around the house when I am off of work, without doing them I would be inactive all day.

cspence2270

No- that is a normal activity and not part of a work out. I never add calories burned from daily activities only calories burned from exercise.

gatecityradio

I would never add cooking or cleaning....seriously. Mowing the lawn maybe, if it's a push mower.

mom2mozart

I probably wouldn't unless it is much more strenous than your normal activity (since you've already said you have your setting
at active)... Do you feel more tired after doing chores on the weekend? Are you sore? Are you a sweaty mess? If not, just
chalk it up to your normal active lifestyle.

A better way to judge would be to wear a HRM to work and take a "picture" of your normal activity level/burn. Then wear one at
home on the weekend. Compare to see if there is a difference.

Chameleone

I usually don't count house work or anything like that. When I first started I did but it felt like cheating because it's things i do so regularly, that if it was a significant workout I wouldn't be the weight I was in the first place...
also that kind of stuff is usually included in the "lifestyle" section

jazzalea

YES!!!!!!!!!




(sorry rocking out to the foo fighters ) :drinker:

cristaine

i would if you put sedentary or desk job perhaps. Beyond that and I think they assume that you are having spurts of activity to even out to "active" or whatever. If it goes WAY beyond your norm, you could always give yourself a bit of flex on your totals.

scloyd

I count mowing the lawn and gardening because it's usually an hour of continuous movement and exertion. I only count housecleaning when we do a complete top to bottom good cleaning, not everyday keeping the house neat type of cleaning.

revncarmichael

I add some types but not all. Gardening and lawn mowing I would add. I do not add housework until it is beyond my normal. I have added driving and shopping if at a mall. I honestly do not pay much attention to the "earned" calories. I try to remain between 1250 and 1500. I do a boot camp three to four times a week and do not "eat" those calories either. Maybe I should be, Any info on that folks. So far I am down 24 lbs since Feb 10. I am happy. One more pound and I make my first goal. It is coming off more slowly now and I am considering just 10 lbs for my next goal. Blessings on your day.

thelovelyLIZ

I believe stuff like that should be figured into your activity level. If you calculate it all, you run the risk of overestimating your calories burned.

Hickyvikki69

if it makes u sweat or pant then yes add it!! housecleaning makes me sweat!

BackTatJIM

very off topic but how do i quote people on here? I tried before and failed miserably