Exercise or Not??

MicaelaFW
MicaelaFW Posts: 63
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
HI Everyone and thanks ahead of time for reading this and hopefully commenting-
I am a very busy mom of 4- especially in the summer! I feel like I am always on the move and never know if the physical activity I exert through the day is enough or if I should squeeze my other workouts in, on top of it.... ie: Went hiking and then swimming- (later do I do a normal weight lift and or run??) It would only mean I have to eat that many more calories back right?? and When I am having a fun day with the kids I don't wear my HRM because I don't necessarily feel like its a workout even though I am exercising... ((( eeek sorry for ranting)))

Like today- I had a ton of landscaping because hubby is out of town... I was exhausted... did this count for a workout??

( I just increased my calories to TDEE -15%) THAT IS WHY I AM ASKING ABOUT EXERCISE....

Replies

  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Hey Micaela!

    Remember, you only *need* to do physical activity when you are trying to reach physical goals. As in, you want to run a 10k, your training needs to involve running. Trying to get a stronger on deadlifts requires weightlifting. But if you goal is to lose weight, the hiking and swimming along with a calorie deficit will put you in the right direction.

    Here's the caveat: If, along with losing weight, you want to have a fit and toned appearance, you'll need some sort of physical activity. The stuff you do with your kids may not have a high enough intensity to get you there. I don't know for sure, obviously, but I'm sure you can honestly judge the level.

    If anything, if was in your position, I'd try to make sure I got some sort of lifting in when possible. I'm biased that way, so take it for what you will. But you're right, if you add a 600 calorie run, you're adding 600 cals of food to go with it. But the lifting doesn't have the same cal for cal ratio of in and out, and would hopefully work toward me looking better with my shirt off at the beach. YMMV.

    But if you're watching 4 kids by yourself and doing the yardwork, FOR GOODNESS SAKES TAKE THE DAY OFF! You deserve it! Whew!
  • angleu
    angleu Posts: 140 Member
    If you are following TDEE with a cut from that you do not eat your calories back. You should have picked the correct activity level so you don't have to worry about it.

    If you had days of hiking and swimming I personally wouldn't worry about cardio on top of that...weight training yes if you follow a set day regime.
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