WAITRESSING

talyaperla
talyaperla Posts: 6 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Question: how do you log waitressing hours? I work 8 hour shifts, sometimes its pretty dead and sometimes it's crazy busy. Usually it peaks for 2-3 hours during the shift, and otherwise it's pretty quiet. How should i log it in my exercises (should i?) Right now I've been logging it as walking 2.0 for 2-3 hours depending on the shift but I'm scared because I've allowed myself to up my calorie intake and I'm afraid I'm gaining weight. Any input?

Replies

  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    I personally wouldn't log it as exercise- I would just make sure my TDEE reflected I wasn't completely sedentary.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Assuming you are using MFP's calorie calculator -
    It should be included in your daily activity levels, I believe lightly active includes waitressing. Or you could choose the next level up if you feel that you are busy more often than not.
  • talyaperla
    talyaperla Posts: 6 Member
    the thing is I don't work everyday, I work anywhere from 2-5 shifts a week so I don't wanna change my TDEE for days i'm a lazy bum (although I do work out on days I don't work... but then I log that)
  • ShannonMpls
    ShannonMpls Posts: 1,936 Member
    I personally wouldn't log it as exercise- I would just make sure my TDEE reflected I wasn't completely sedentary.

    This.

    If you can spring for a Fitbit, that would really help estimate too. The Zip is $59 and complete concealable (wear it on pants, in pocket, on bra).
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    the thing is I don't work everyday, I work anywhere from 2-5 shifts a week so I don't wanna change my TDEE for days i'm a lazy bum (although I do work out on days I don't work... but then I log that)

    You should still be fine with lightly active and a few shifts a week. If you end up working more, then maybe add 100 or 200 calories to that day. Play around, try different levels and see how it works.

    I would not count it as exercise, you are far more likely to over estimate.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    the average is far more important than the actual daily specific.

    If you're goal is weight loss- you want to shoot for that magical 3500 weekly (7 day) deficit.

    So if you are more busy on one day vs less busy on the other day- you will know this- and you can mentally eat more or less by a little bit- and over the course of the week- you should have a solid average of a deficit.

    I think you will make yourself go a little crazy trying to log busy days verses not busy days. Think big picture- over all you are more active than me through the week- because my fat lazy salaried *kitten* sits on a balance ball for almost 40 hours a week... yeah... big picture you are lightly active as a whole.
    :D

    remember diet/exercise balance/deficit stuff is not a one click ticket deal- it takes tweaking- and adjusting along the way- so try adjusting your TDEE and rolling that way- then see if it works for a few months- adjust as needed.
  • lovebig30
    lovebig30 Posts: 167 Member
    get a fitbit or bodymedia I know since getting my bodymeida the calories I burn at work can vary be 600 or more a day depending on how busy I am in that 10 hour period
  • klp1017
    klp1017 Posts: 95 Member
    I'm pretty much in the same situation as you. I set my activity level to lightly active. Some nights I'm sitting on my butt for 8 hours and some nights I'm practically running for 8 hours, so I think it all balances out in the end.

    ETA: So, I don't log it as exercise.
  • jlahorn
    jlahorn Posts: 377 Member
    If you can spring for a Fitbit, that would really help estimate too. The Zip is $59 and complete concealable (wear it on pants, in pocket, on bra).

    Yep, this is about the best possible application of a FitBit I've ever heard.
  • phjorg1
    phjorg1 Posts: 642 Member
    You don't log it. That's how. As for how much you burn, about 1-2 cal/min above BMR. So a bit, but not much to worry about.

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