Do you consider...

littlebre33
littlebre33 Posts: 318
in Fitness and Exercise
cleaning, cooking and taking care of children exercise??? For example, for dinner I cooked 3 different meals as not everyone in my house isn't exactly too keen on eating health, I have done about 6 loads of laundry, cleaned the whole house (took about 2 hours minimum) and ran after a 2 year old while carrying a 5 month old. Because I get so caught up in these I have barely been able to exercise. My exercise today was my 45 minute trip to the grocery store and I still didn't log that. What is you take on this?? If you think these contribute to your exercise calories how do you calculate them?? Pathetic sounding I know, but thanks in advance!

Replies

  • RobinV_Seattle
    RobinV_Seattle Posts: 191 Member
    Is that a typical day? If so, I would make sure your MFP activity level reflects that - for instance I would say that's at least moderately active and not sedentary. That would account for that in your calories for the day.
  • rockerbabyy
    rockerbabyy Posts: 2,258 Member
    Is that a typical day? If so, I would make sure your MFP activity level reflects that - for instance I would say that's at least moderately active and not sedentary. That would account for that in your calories for the day.
    this.
  • littlebre33
    littlebre33 Posts: 318
    Is that a typical day? If so, I would make sure your MFP activity level reflects that - for instance I would say that's at least moderately active and not sedentary. That would account for that in your calories for the day.

    Yes, that unfortunately is almost everyday!! I have my settings set at sedentary because i thought working out meant like "working out!" I have already cleaned that much today, but yet I still need to finish the dishes and pick up the toys and put the kids to sleep! Arrgg.. Thank you for your input!
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,364 Member
    Yup, definitely change your activity level to reflect it rather than logging it as exercise.
  • SarahBeth0625
    SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member
    I only count my elliptical workout as my exercise for the day. Everything else is just whatever...
  • dawn_eichert
    dawn_eichert Posts: 487 Member
    I don't count the little stuff like cooking and doing dishes. But when I am cleaning how and it takes more than an hour, you bet I log it. I may not eat back the cals but I will log it as I feel that I have done something and I usually break a sweat doing it.

    Either log it or increase your setting to a more active number.

    Just my two cents....good luck
  • barb1241
    barb1241 Posts: 324 Member
    Did you get to your current weight doing those things and eating the same way? If so, then they are most definitely NOT exercise. They are standard activity for you.

    Did you just sit on the sofa and eat bon bons all day to get to your current weight while someone else did the chores but now you are doing them instead? If so ,then count 'em because they are an increase over what you usually do/did.
  • RobinV_Seattle
    RobinV_Seattle Posts: 191 Member
    Is that a typical day? If so, I would make sure your MFP activity level reflects that - for instance I would say that's at least moderately active and not sedentary. That would account for that in your calories for the day.

    Yes, that unfortunately is almost everyday!! I have my settings set at sedentary because i thought working out meant like "working out!" I have already cleaned that much today, but yet I still need to finish the dishes and pick up the toys and put the kids to sleep! Arrgg.. Thank you for your input!

    A mama's job is never done! At least having two little ones keeps you moving!!
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    Is that a typical day? If so, I would make sure your MFP activity level reflects that - for instance I would say that's at least moderately active and not sedentary. That would account for that in your calories for the day.

    Yes, that unfortunately is almost everyday!! I have my settings set at sedentary because i thought working out meant like "working out!" I have already cleaned that much today, but yet I still need to finish the dishes and pick up the toys and put the kids to sleep! Arrgg.. Thank you for your input!

    Definitely bump up that activity level from sedentary to active! You're not sedentary by any means!
  • mgobluetx12
    mgobluetx12 Posts: 1,326 Member
    Exercise is where your heart rate is elevated for that period of time. I can see some cleaning causing this, but not cooking or grocery shopping.
  • Ghkffb56
    Ghkffb56 Posts: 263 Member
    Just my workout. lol maybe when i have to take care of my sisters kid o.o.. thats a workout.
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    Is that a typical day? If so, I would make sure your MFP activity level reflects that - for instance I would say that's at least moderately active and not sedentary. That would account for that in your calories for the day.

    Yes, that unfortunately is almost everyday!! I have my settings set at sedentary because i thought working out meant like "working out!" I have already cleaned that much today, but yet I still need to finish the dishes and pick up the toys and put the kids to sleep! Arrgg.. Thank you for your input!

    The activity setting isn't about exercise at all. In fact the question is "How would you describe your normal daily activities?"

    Clearly your normal daily activities aren't sedentary. You should reflect that in your activity level, and then only log exercise, not daily activity.
  • GwennyH
    GwennyH Posts: 80 Member
    That's why I love my Fitbit (or any other activity tracker you can get a hold of). It tracks ALL activity throughout the day (and night) and adjusts my calories accordingly. If I go work out at the gym for an hour, but then sit around on my butt for the rest of the day, it knows it! If I don't go to the gym, but run my butt off around the house, it knows that too! If you want the true "big picture" of your activity level, I would highly recommend one!

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