can housework count

dedgjonator
dedgjonator Posts: 35
in Fitness and Exercise
I am a mother with three young children I dont have time to exercise in the sense of going to classes or the gym. Im wondering if housework can be classed as exercise? Im always cleaning, tiding, chasing kids etc... would you put that in your diaries?

Replies

  • mistress8956
    mistress8956 Posts: 265 Member
    I personally don't, but I see some who do.
  • dezb64
    dezb64 Posts: 109 Member
    On some days I know if can feel like a full workout but as a rule I don't
  • mamma_nee
    mamma_nee Posts: 809 Member
    I would only maybe consider vacuuming but I never count any house work .
  • dumb_blondes_rock
    dumb_blondes_rock Posts: 1,568 Member
    How I view is it is that if its everyday stuff, I dont log it. Mfp designs your calorie count based off your lifestyle, so it could ultimately end up hurting you in the long run if you over eat all the time. But if you are like scrubbing something with all of your might or going up and down a ladder or something vigorous, I guess you could
  • Dnarules
    Dnarules Posts: 2,081 Member
    I never counted these as exercise. But what you can do is set yourself to lightly active instead of sedentary.

    I know some who only count heavy cleaning days.
  • tracywintn
    tracywintn Posts: 79
    I don't count housework, I think you probably took that into consideration when you set your activity level-so it's been accounted for in your daily calorie allotment. I'm not trying to be mean AT ALL, but I think saying you "don't have time" is an excuse. Lots and lots of parents exercise-people who have full time jobs and multiple kids, single parents etc. They get up early, do it during nap time, go when the kids are in bed or even put a video in and let them have some down time when you do an exercise video in another room. I don't like exercise and I have to force myself to do it, but I know it's all on me when I don't. It's OK to not exercise-this is YOUR journey and you get to do it however works best for you (weight loss will just be slower IMO). But first and foremost be honest. If you have time to sit down and watch tv or be on the computer-then you have time to exercise-you just choose not to. Again, no judgement-I have not exercised in 2 days and keep saying to myself "I need to go to the gym" but instead I have been online, watched a movie, even watched football with my husband (which is a total procrastination move for me).
  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
    Think of exercise as "additional activity". If housework was a routine, normal, near-daily activity performed when you gained or maintained weight, how does classifying the same activity level as "exercise" now aid in weight loss?
  • bj_carter
    bj_carter Posts: 12
    If you've set your lifestyle as sedentary.... then you can count any physical activity.... wear a pedometer or use something like the Runtastic Pedometer app to keep track of your movement.... I find this motivates me to move more, even if it's only a bit... every little bit helps
  • missbp
    missbp Posts: 601 Member
    I don't log housework as exercise, but I have some friends who do. You don't have to take classes or go to a gym to get exercise. You can take your kids for a walk around your neighborhood. Also, you can try some of the many fitness video's on youtube that are free and can be done right in your own home. I just checked out a Jillian Michaels Kickbox workout and I am seriously thinking about giving it a go. I've taken cardio kickbox classes and her video looks like a great way to burn some calories.

    Good luck!
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    isnt this considered part of your weekly activity level?

    i mean of course you can consider it as exercise, but i wonder how many of the people who eventually post about not understanding why they arent losing weight arent losing weight because they are eating back calories that are already accounted for
  • Will_Thrust_For_Candy
    Will_Thrust_For_Candy Posts: 6,109 Member
    No.
  • janeite1990
    janeite1990 Posts: 671 Member
    I don't count any activity that got me to this weight in the first place. I count only activity that is added on to my usual schedule. This isn't about adding in as many exercise points as you can. Anything you have already been doing has already given you a benefit. I'm sure you already did housework, so you have been getting that benefit already or you would have been heavier/less healthy. If you want to be lighter/ healthier, you'll need to count just the things you add on now.
  • dedgjonator
    dedgjonator Posts: 35
    I don't remember the last time i watched tv, Im only on the computer for 5 mins a day when occasionally my lg wants feeding. I've put weight on because when I was pregnant with her I got hyperemesis. I lost a lot of weight and ended up in hospital on a drip. While pregnant I had to force food down but it kept coming back up. So I guess as soon as my lg was born and my hormone levels started getting back to normal I was able to eat again. My body would have been in starvation mode whilst pregnant so my body wanted to hold on to the food I was then being able to eat. I know alot of my problem has come from portion size, I ate because I could. The exercise I get is pacing the floor when she refuses to settle. I use her as a weight, lol she leans against my legs and I lift her up. She laughs so she must enjoy it. I also lay on the floor with her and lift her above me. I've not been in the best fitness levels recently so any advice on what I can do with 3 young kids around is helpful.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Housework would only count if you're doing it in extreme amounts, and it's something completely different from anything you've done before prior to get to a place where you have to ask, "does housework count."

    tl;dr = no.
  • chandra2802
    chandra2802 Posts: 29 Member
    I understand your problems with workouts. My husband works during the day and i work nights.. and we have 2 kids (4 &2) So figuring out work outs have been difficult. I am starting a 30 day challenge with push ups.. something you can do a few through out the day.. i also love my Wii. i use zumba and wii fit plus.. and i do just dance with my son.. he loves dancing with mama. Portion problems is also something i have issues with. Thats why i love weighing and measuring my food to log. I really see what i eat in a day and how much. Start small with your workout goals. I know that is what i am doing. Allowing myself to slowly adjust.
  • janesmith1
    janesmith1 Posts: 1,511 Member
    Yes if you use a HRM and count your cals.
  • Rachelc1992
    Rachelc1992 Posts: 246 Member
    I don't count regular housework. But once a week I clean and scrub for 5 hours (I'm a nanny and they are taking the child one day so I can get it done during school hols) and I'm telling you I sweat lots and definitely burn lots! But I see it as a bonus mini workout ;) xx
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    I do but I always class it as light rather than vigourous.

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