What counts as light house work?

If you look in the exercise database. You will see that it burns as many calories as walking 2.0 mph. I would count light housecleaning if it was something you don't usually do -- even if you don't work up a sweat.

If you are working up a good sweat, I would log it as Heavy housework.

Even cooking is listed in the database. It burns calories to be on your feet and moving/bending/reaching/chopping. If it is not something that you normally do regularly and have been doing... I would count that, too!

Fishing is another one of those that is listed in the database. Some would not think that this burns calories if you are sitting in a boat or standing on the shore.

If you don't know how to find these in the database. Click on the Exercise tab and you will see under it -- the tab for database.

For me, light housecleaning would mean laundry, dishes, etc. I personally don't log light housecleaning because it is part of my normal day to day life activity. I do log any cleaning that makes me sweat.

(Remember that any of the posts that you read and don't like or don't make sense to you, just ignore... ).

Good luck to you!

I think this was the first response I saw that actually addressed the question. Most the others were just rude.

Thanks to all the people that actually answered the question. As for the people who didn't, I've just gotten out of a very long period of depression, where all I would do is sleep and eat. I can barely do anything now, so to me, any movement is exercise and should be treated as such.

I am sorry there were people that rude... as long as you are moving I would say that is great! I used to log housework as well when I was counting my exercise calories...I don't any longer as I use a spreadsheet that takes it into account. If you have an HRM I would definitely log it!

I only count Mopping a sweeping...

Light exercise intensity
Light activity feels easy. Here are clues that your exercise intensity is at a light level:
You have no noticeable changes in your breathing pattern.
You don't break a sweat (unless it's very hot or humid).
You can easily carry on a full conversation or even sing.

Moderate exercise intensity
Moderate activity feels somewhat hard. Here are clues that your exercise intensity is at a moderate level:
Your breathing quickens, but you're not out of breath.
You develop a light sweat after about 10 minutes of activity.
You can carry on a conversation, but you can't sing.

Vigorous exercise intensity
Vigorous activity feels challenging. Here are clues that your exercise intensity is at a vigorous level:
Your breathing is deep and rapid.
You develop a sweat after a few minutes of activity.
You can't say more than a few words without pausing for breath.


I don't think it's cheating or stupid to use housework as exercise. Just because some people eat their exercise cals, doesn't mean everyone does. Sometimes I try not to because I'm not sure how well the calories burned calculators work.

Using housework may not work for people who need high intensity work outs to have a good calorie burn but if someon is not very active to begin with, I think any movement helps.