logging pedometer steps

This is for anyone who uses a pedometer. I just wore one for the first time today because I was curious as to how far I walk during the day at my job. As of right now I am at 3.72 miles or 5900 steps for the day. I have never counted this before. I usually exercise and record either first thing in the morning or in the evening. Should I log this as additional exercise? It says so far I have burned 269 calories just during working hours. What do you think?

Replies

  • laylaness
    laylaness Posts: 262 Member
    Nope. I use a FitBit One and I only use it to monitor my TDEE.
  • cedder1
    cedder1 Posts: 139 Member
    What what is the purpose of using it for TDEE? What do you do with the number?
  • scrapjen
    scrapjen Posts: 387 Member
    I've been a pedometer person for years ... currently I wear both my Omron and my Fitbit. It is recommended that people get in 10,000 steps per day as a goal. Personally I try to get 10K from dedicated exercise, and 10K from just regular activity ... I almost always get my exercise steps, but don't always get a full 10k from everyday stuff (shopping, around the house, etc.)

    I wouldn't log anything other than dedicated exercise ... especially if you've already said you are anything other than sedentary here on MFP. In my opinion, it's always better to underestimate on exercise, only logging when you really work for it.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    Do not log it as exercise, it's part of your TDEE. It seems enough to select "lightly active" on MFP.
  • Mslmesq
    Mslmesq Posts: 1,000 Member
    Did you set the stride? My pedometer is regularly off on the stride, but I've timed the step to the actual mileage and the whole 10,000 steps is about 5 miles thing is right on.

    As far as logging it, I only log dedicated walks at rate of speed. And I actually underlog the rate of speed. I'm a fast walker and regularly walk at over 4.0....closer to 4.5. But I log it at 3.0 or 3.5. When I walk slower, like at 3.0 or 3.5, I log at 2.0. I do this cause I have heard mfp overestimates calories burned in exercise. I generally walk once or twice a day for 20-40 minutes. Those are the only walks I log. The rest of the pedometer points I just note in my exercise log notes so I can mentally keep track of them.
  • qtgonewild
    qtgonewild Posts: 1,930 Member
    i personally wouldnt log anything i was already doing before i started this weight loss journey. it obviously wasnt helping me before. lol
  • Mslmesq
    Mslmesq Posts: 1,000 Member
    Do not log it as exercise, it's part of your TDEE. It seems enough to select "lightly active" on MFP.

    Note, I also think either way is probably fine. I ran the numbers at scoobys workshop for my tdee vs. logging exercise calories, and they are basically the same. For me though I'd rather log. Then for example, like this weekend, when I'm sick and lying in bed doing nothing, they are not already factored in. To each his own though. Using tdee is probably easier.
  • If these are intentional steps that you are taking to get more exercise then log them. If these are steps you would have taken in the course of a regular work day not wearing a pedometer then don't count them or increase your goal to accommodate those daily steps. My officemate and I have very sedentary jobs. We are probably lucky to get 1000 steps in at work. We intentionally go out for walks so we count these steps. A step is a step. It depends upon what you are hoping to accomplish.