Do you count carrying babies all day as calories burned?
FineFitFatty
Posts: 60
I have my activity level set at sedentary and eat at my TDEE based on that, figuring that daily activities + exercise create quite a deficit. What I didn't think about until recently is how active my life actually is - constantly holding, carrying a baby and toddler, chasing the toddler around, lifting the huge stroller and car seat in and out of car, and of course bouncing baby to sleep multiple times a day. I am basically only sitting down at night when they are sleeping, or when I'm giving a bottle or driving. That has to add up to a lot of calories burnt right? Would you set your activity level to lightly active instead?
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Replies
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Have you thought about getting something like a bodymedia that would tell you exactly how many calories you have burnt each day rather than guessing? It's really worked for me. message me if you want to know more about it
But for me I would go sedentary because I would rather underestimate my calories burnt and overestimate how much I have eaten... but that's just me
good luck with your journey 0 -
For bonus points, don't count the baby carrying activity.0
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Yes, lightly active. I am a mother of four and I was amazingly busy and using my muscles and walking quickly because I was always late quite a bit. You are doing a lot more than you realize for you and for them. 0
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You're probably more like "lighly active". I'd get a fitbit or something so that you can really tell.0
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I have a 5yo and a 7 week old and chose sedentary. Though I feel like I am constantly on the go, I don't know that I'd consider it strenuous.0
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I'd change it to lightly active. Those babies sure do work your arm muscles 0
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I only count things I do that are not part of my daily routine.0
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I wouldn't log it as exercise but you probably should adjust your activity factor to reflect that. You're not sedentary if you're on your feet carrying little kids around for a significant part of the day. Depending on how much of the day you spend doing that as opposed to sitting down you'd be lightly or moderately active.
I think the suggestion to get one of those devices that measures your calorie burn through the day is a good one.0 -
I only count things I do that are not part of my daily routine.
I agree with this. ^^0 -
I only count things I do that are not part of my daily routine.
That's exactly why I kept it at sedentary. Thanks ladies! And I will look into the fitbit.0 -
I only count things I do that are not part of my daily routine.
That's exactly why I kept it at sedentary. Thanks ladies! And I will look into the fitbit.
Well, no. You do that everyday, so it IS part of your daily routine. You're not sedentary. Lightly active would be more appropriate.0 -
Setting your activity level at sedentary, when its not, is silly. Attempting to micromanage your daily calorie burn is silly. Nobody gives a flying duck how many calories you burn so why not just be realistic and put yourself as "active". I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that you will set is as sedentary and it will tell you to eat very little, then you will calculate your burn and choose not to eat it back. You're just going out of your way to set yourself up for failure. Good luck.0
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My opinion is a bit different...I was sedentary when I worked full time in an office. I have mine set to moderately active now that I'm a busy mom of a two year old and a six month old (I wear him for hours every day). I still count exercise points on top of all that if I take the kids out for a long walk and am wearing/pushing them.0
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Setting your activity level at sedentary, when its not, is silly. Attempting to micromanage your daily calorie burn is silly. Nobody gives a flying duck how many calories you burn so why not just be realistic and put yourself as "active". I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that you will set is as sedentary and it will tell you to eat very little, then you will calculate your burn and choose not to eat it back. You're just going out of your way to set yourself up for failure. Good luck.
Holy aggressive. I set it at sedentary and eat at my TDEE, which is 1750, so I'm not eating very little. That's why I asked this question, because I don't want to inhibit myself by NOT having enough fuel to function during my day and my workouts. And also, I do not eat back my burn. I lift three times a week and do about a mile of HITT running/sprints afterwards, so I'm not burning, like, 1000's of calories during my workouts. Thanks for your kind insight, though.0 -
Setting your activity level at sedentary, when its not, is silly. Attempting to micromanage your daily calorie burn is silly. Nobody gives a flying duck how many calories you burn so why not just be realistic and put yourself as "active". I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that you will set is as sedentary and it will tell you to eat very little, then you will calculate your burn and choose not to eat it back. You're just going out of your way to set yourself up for failure. Good luck.
Well you're my friend FFF so I know you're sincere in your question. I would set the activity level to lightly active for a few weeks, then up to active. It's hard (in my opinion) to make a drastic jump in calorie intake so going little by little will be easier for you.
If you don't eat enough you'll run yourself into the ground. Activity level and exercise are two different things. Choose lightly active and doing log your day to day running around as exercise. When you do something above and beyond chasing the kids, walking the dogs, or cleaning the house, THEN log that as exercise.0 -
My opinion is a bit different...I was sedentary when I worked full time in an office. I have mine set to moderately active now that I'm a busy mom of a two year old and a six month old (I wear him for hours every day). I still count exercise points on top of all that if I take the kids out for a long walk and am wearing/pushing them.
This sounds exactly like my life (I wear my 4 month old a lot too). Do you have workouts on top of your daily dealings and walks or do you just count your lifestyle without workouts as moderately active?0 -
Setting your activity level at sedentary, when its not, is silly. Attempting to micromanage your daily calorie burn is silly. Nobody gives a flying duck how many calories you burn so why not just be realistic and put yourself as "active". I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that you will set is as sedentary and it will tell you to eat very little, then you will calculate your burn and choose not to eat it back. You're just going out of your way to set yourself up for failure. Good luck.
Well you're my friend FFF so I know you're sincere in your question. I would set the activity level to lightly active for a few weeks, then up to active. It's hard (in my opinion) to make a drastic jump in calorie intake so going little by little will be easier for you.
If you don't eat enough you'll run yourself into the ground. Activity level and exercise are two different things. Choose lightly active and doing log your day to day running around as exercise. When you do something above and beyond chasing the kids, walking the dogs, or cleaning the house, THEN log that as exercise.0 -
I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that you will set is as sedentary and it will tell you to eat very little, then you will calculate your burn and choose not to eat it back. You're just going out of your way to set yourself up for failure.
I set it at sedentary and eat at my TDEE, which is 1750, so I'm not eating very little. And also, I do not eat back my burn.
Okay... I've "highlighted" the pertinent information... Go ahead and be offended. I'm not going to sugar coat it. You're doing exactly what I was afraid of. I really like the sound of your exercise program, but, it doesnt sound like your diet is configured correctly.
ETA: Thats not your TDEE because you didnt calculate your TDEE properly. You're eating below your TDEE and not eating back calories burned (which are part of your floating TDEE)
ETA2: You should be able to lose 2-3 pounds a week while eating at ~TDEE-20%. Doing much more is just crash dieting and will result in plenty of lean mass lost. Considering you;re doing a nice strength training program, thats obviously not your goal. I can guarantee you will stall your lifts, and most likely lose strength, if you continue at such a deficit.0 -
I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that you will set is as sedentary and it will tell you to eat very little, then you will calculate your burn and choose not to eat it back. You're just going out of your way to set yourself up for failure.
I set it at sedentary and eat at my TDEE, which is 1750, so I'm not eating very little. And also, I do not eat back my burn.
Okay... I've "highlighted" the pertinent information... Go ahead and be offended. I'm not going to sugar coat it. You're doing exactly what I was afraid of. I really like the sound of your exercise program, but, it doesnt sound like your diet is configured correctly.
ETA: Thats not your TDEE because you didnt calculate your TDEE properly. You're eating below your TDEE and not eating back calories burned.
Well, that's why I'm trying to get it configured correctly. I want to eat below my TDEE to lose fat, correct? Because I only workout three times a week, I incorporate that into my deficit. At moderately active, my TDEE is 2250... say that is the case, my deficit is only a daily average of 500 cals. That's a pound a week.
I'm not new to a healthy lifestyle, I played soccer competitively through college and have ran most of my life. I'm simply trying to ensure that I have enough ENERGY to keep up with my family while still losing weight. You sound like you're slightly new to this, though. 0 -
I want to eat below my TDEE to lose fat, correct? \
Yes, eat below your TDEE to lose weight.Because I only workout three times a week, I incorporate that into my deficit. At moderately active, my TDEE is 2250... say that is the case, my deficit is only a daily average of 500 cals. That's a pound a week.
Thats not how weight loss works. You don't eat 3500 deficit and lose a pound or 7000 deficit and lose 2 pounds. Its not that simple and shouldn't be calculated in such a manner. If it did function like that than you wouldnt have 300 pound individuals eating at a ~600 calorie deficit and losing 3 pounds a week.
Beyond that your math is just off. You're TDEE isnt 1750 cuz you're not sedentary. It means Total Daily Energy Expenditure.
Rather than argue I'll just make a suggestion and be done with this. Eat at 2250 for 2 weeks and eat back your exercise calories on workout days. If you dont see weight loss than drop 50 calories a week until its coming off at a healthy satisfying rate. All this time continue to at back your exercise calories. Its that simple.
If your ultimate plan is to crash diet for the summer than go ahead. I cant stop you and you wont be alone. In that case I'd suggest the ultimate handbook to rapid fatloss, but, it can most definitely have its ugly repercussions.0 -
I only count things I do that are not part of my daily routine.
That's exactly why I kept it at sedentary. Thanks ladies! And I will look into the fitbit.
but the point is you aren't sedentary if you are lugging around babies all day. Totally get one of those gadgets that measures your calorie burn through out the day... I think you'd be surprised.0 -
I want to eat below my TDEE to lose fat, correct? \
Yes, eat below your TDEE to lose weight.Because I only workout three times a week, I incorporate that into my deficit. At moderately active, my TDEE is 2250... say that is the case, my deficit is only a daily average of 500 cals. That's a pound a week.
Eat at 2250 for 2 weeks and eat back your exercise calories on workout days.
But 2250 is technically my 'accurate' TDEE, why would I want to eat at that, AND my exercise calories to lose weight. There is no deficit in that equation, know what I mean?
And agreed, I'm not even stepping on the scale, I don't really care about the number, I was just using the math to exemplify that a weekly loss of one pound is not excessive, and I am not depriving myself into skinnyfat. Or I'm not trying to.0 -
Well to a point. Realize that if a lot of calories were burned, then new moms/moms to toddlers wouldn't be a big population here.I have my activity level set at sedentary and eat at my TDEE based on that, figuring that daily activities + exercise create quite a deficit. What I didn't think about until recently is how active my life actually is - constantly holding, carrying a baby and toddler, chasing the toddler around, lifting the huge stroller and car seat in and out of car, and of course bouncing baby to sleep multiple times a day. I am basically only sitting down at night when they are sleeping, or when I'm giving a bottle or driving. That has to add up to a lot of calories burnt right? Would you set your activity level to lightly active instead?
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For bonus points, don't count the baby carrying activity.
I agree with this poster!0 -
I only count things I do that are not part of my daily routine.
That's exactly why I kept it at sedentary. Thanks ladies! And I will look into the fitbit.
but the point is you aren't sedentary if you are lugging around babies all day. Totally get one of those gadgets that measures your calorie burn through out the day... I think you'd be surprised.
Yes, you're correct, but I can't be sure what that calorie burn is accurately, which is why I set it at that activity level. sooooo I guess I should get one of those gadgets. Thanks for all your advice, everyone!0 -
I'd call it parenthood, and you don't get any extra points for it.0
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So 2250 was your TDEE? Not the number is suggested you eat to lose X amount of pounds a week? If 2250 is your TDEE at moderately active/active then you should be eating ~1800+exercise calories from lifting/HIIT... And I'd still say tweak down 50 calories and wait a few weeks anytime you see a stall. And yes, 1 pound a week is plenty healthy, but, you cant base the health of your diet off your fatloss. Someone eating way too few calories could lose at 1# a week and have cortisol thru the roof and hormones out of whack. Its not a simple science. The best advice is to start "high" and slowly tweak your calories down. Eating your exercise calories takes a variable out of the equation. When you start trying to calculate more things you're just adding more room for error.0
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Rather than argue I'll just make a suggestion and be done with this. Eat at 2250 for 2 weeks and eat back your exercise calories on workout days. If you dont see weight loss than drop 50 calories a week until its coming off at a healthy satisfying rate. All this time continue to at back your exercise calories. Its that simple.
You have a misunderstanding. Her maintenance TDEE is 2250 (this includes her exercise calories). If a person is calculating based on a TDEE that includes their exercise level, they have exercise calories included within that. In that circumstance they do not eat that TDEE plus exercise calories. That would be doubling up and put her into a weight gaining surplus.
What she should be doing is deducting an appropriate deficit from her TDEE of 2250.
OP, you should not be set at sedentary. You should be set at lightly active and eat back exercise calories. Or you can just deduct a deficit from your TDEE (which already accounts for exercise calories when calculated properly) and eat a steady amount day to day.
You can get a device if you think it will help. But, it's expensive and not necessary. You can determine your TDEE with the help of the web sites that calculate it plus some harmless trial and error on your part to find what does and doesn't work.0 -
I'd call it parenthood, and you don't get any extra points for it.
Carrying a baby all day and playing is more active than sitting at a desk all day. It does influence activity level to a degree. If the mother is also breastfeeding it increases it even more.0 -
So 2250 was your TDEE? Not the number is suggested you eat to lose X amount of pounds a week? If 2250 is your TDEE at moderately active/active then you should be eating ~1800+exercise calories from lifting/HIIT... And I'd still say tweak down 50 calories and wait a few weeks anytime you see a stall. And yes, 1 pound a week is plenty healthy, but, you cant base the health of your diet off your fatloss. Someone eating way too few calories could lose at 1# a week and have cortisol thru the roof and hormones out of whack. Its not a simple science. The best advice is to start "high" and slowly tweak your calories down. Eating your exercise calories takes a variable out of the equation. When you start trying to calculate more things you're just adding more room for error.
Oops, I should mention I'm not going off of MFP suggestion... I used this site.
http://www.1percentedge.com/ifcalc/
OK that makes more sense. Still think I should get a fitbit to see what I'm actually burning during my daily dealings.0
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