To Log or Not To Log?

I would say it depends on your activity level. I have mine set at sedentary because I have a desk job. I do consider house-cleaning a workout, because I do it twice a week for a minimum of an hour at a time with no break. (Detail cleaning implied. I live alone & my house isn't a pigsty. :P)

i think "normal daily activities"--things you do more days than not--are what you use to decide your activity level (ie sedentary, lightly active, active, etc.). i do not log normal cleaning or walking i do every day that is not my "exercise". i don't log chasing around my 2 eighteen month olds because i do it every day, but as a result, i set my activity setting to "lightly active". i log activity i do for the purpose of "exercise", and sometimes, activity that is way over and above "normal"--some people log "cleaning" that is over and above the norm, i usually don't, but if i did, i would only log something like scrubbing a floor by hand on my hands and knees or something like that that is pretty way over and above the norm.

i don't know if this is right, but this is what i do.

I was just about to ask almost the same question. I walk everyday to work, which ends up being two miles total for the day, and I have been logging it, but didn't know if I should keep including it or not, as it is an everyday activity.

I was just about to ask almost the same question. I walk everyday to work, which ends up being two miles total for the day, and I have been logging it, but didn't know if I should keep including it or not, as it is an everyday activity.

if this is the extent of your daily activity, you could probably set your settings to "sedentary" and then log it. or, you could probably set your settings to "lightly active", and don't log it. my guess is that it's close to a wash. remember that if you log it, mfp is known to overestimate actual calories you burn.

I only log "normal" activity if I go above & beyond or increase my heart rate....normal cleaning the kitchen I don't count, moving firewood I count....I try not to get in the habit of logging everything...I would only use it as an excuse to eat up more calories I don't need....

I think it depends on what you consider exercise. I walk to the bus stop every morning and walk back from school every afternoon and although I log those and times when I walk up to the village during breaks I don't log when I am walking too or from my lessons, because I generally don't walk for long enough or I am too busy to really log.
My rule is if it's not 5 mins of intended exercise it doesn't go on, but it's up to you at the end of the day.

This ^^

I think most people who log cleaning etc tend to vastly overestimate calories.

If that's what works for you though then do it


(oopps - ^^this was in response to winnervictorious)

i had a friend, for a while, that would log 8 hours of "jogging, 5.0 mph" for her work shift. a) no, you didn't. and b) if you work on your feet, set your activity level to "active" and don't lie to yourself. i view exercise as a "you know it when you see it" type thing, and if you aren't sure, you should probably lean toward "it's not."

I consider things like cleaning and walking to be part of my daily activity. They are both normal non-strenuous activies for me. (Although I have started walking while having my baby in a wrap...which is definitely a bit more 'work' then more normal walking). I don't drive, so I've always walked everywhere.
My question is, should I bother logging these things? If so, Why?

No: they ARE part of your daily activity according to standard definitions and the calories are accounted for when you list yourself as sedentary/ lightly active/ active, any fitness professional should tell you that. Some people on here want to make up their own definition of the words exercise and sedentary, they may as well try to redefine a calorie as far as I am concerned (studied this stuff at degree level).

I log walking and log at a slower MPH, to ensure I don't mislead myself. I feel it's worth logging if you do more than a few minutes a day of it as it adds up.

Also agree w/it depending on how active you said you are when you set up your goals. Mine's at sedentary, so every bit helps!

If I really feel my heart pumping when I'm doing something, like running heavy things up and down the stairs for at least 15 minutes, then I log it. However, things like cleaning or walking places when I'm not trying to sweat doesn't really count to me. I can understand if people are on very low cal diets they may want to track an extra 50 or 100 calories burned but it's not really necessary for me. I'm 295(ish) so 50 cals is a drop in the bucket.

walking can burn alot of calories. you should log it in the following scenarios...

1) walking from kitchen to living room... no
2) walking 6 miles around your neighborhood for exercise... yes



PS... i do 2) as many times a week as time and weather permit.

Good to know, thanks for all who answered my question. I already listed lightly active, so I will just not log it. Was just trying to get back into the habit of logging everything I did since I lost motivation last time and stopped. Thanks. And sorry to OP, wasn't trying to steal your thread.