Cleaning(Light/Moderate)(Heavy/Vigorous) What's the differen
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If you want to cook the books in your exercise diary, feel free to do so. Don't forget you can log billiards, fishing, and playing darts too.0
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Just started tracking yesterday. How do you know what is considered light/moderate or heavy/vigorous? Trying to track "exercise" and as a Stay at Home Mom I clean quite a bit and need to know how to track it correctly. Thanks!
Jess
I'd just like to say.. Thank you for asking this question. I've been meaning to ask it but kept forgetting lol
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I never log chores unless it isn't part of my regular schedule of doing the dishes, mopping, running errands, walking to the bus stop etc. Unless you have a maid and are one with the couch all day, this is just going about your daily routine. To me the amount of activity like this you do determines whether you are sedentary, lightly active, very active etc. I do think it would reasonable to count the extraordinary things like spending the day doing hard labour such fencing in your yard, moving, planting trees, etc.0
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Calories Burned Doing Housework Calculations based on a 150 pound person.
Activity
#Of Minutes
Calories Burned
They missed out one:
Putting duvet back into duvet cover
60
8,948,678
:mad:1 -
Calories Burned Doing Housework Calculations based on a 150 pound person.
Activity
#Of Minutes
Calories Burned
They missed out one:
Putting duvet back into duvet cover
60
8,948,678
:mad:
The effort I have to muster to get round to doing some of these activities surely must mean they burn a thousand calories, right?
To the OP, I'd set your activity level to lightly active, as others have recommended.0 -
I have a desk job (therefore my setting is on sedentary) and only do housework in a long stretch on the weekend, including laundry with the machines in the basement, so I count these things because I do not do them regularly, and I usually work up a sweat. I keep it at light/moderate though, and round down on the time to the closest 15 minute increment. I also count grocery shopping since I only do it twice a month.
I also work out five days a week and rarely eat back my exercise calories, so I don't think it harms me too much to count these things
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Yay! My worthless $.01 $.01 and a question!
I housekeep at the hospital, with basically a 15,000+ sq. ft. building to maintain on my own. In an 8 hour shift, I lift between 600-800lbs of dirty linen (in 25-40lb increments ) and a dumpster full of trash from 90+ 13gallon cans. About half the floor care is mopping (with swiffer style mops, they did away with string mops for hygenic purposes and shoulder injury reduction) and half vacuuming which all basically gets done daily. Lots of dusting and high/low surface wiping daily as well as overhead dusting once or twice a week. When I first started, it was almost 7 miles of walking per shift (according to the ped on my phone) but since I've honed my routine it's dropped to 5.5-6 miles. I work M-F 15:00-23:30. I also workout 4-5 days per week (I also keep my gym time to M-F) doing 5x5 with 20 minutes interval elliptical cardio MWF, and 30+ minutes of the same cardio on T/Th. When I'm not gyming or working I can be kind of a slouch. Okay, basically a total slouch 2 days/week.
I have my activity level set to "active" and my estimated exercise at 40 minutes x 4 days. This is giving me 1940 calories for a 2lb/week loss...which is more like 1.5, but I'm not complaining. I actually reduced my activity level to "light" a while back which dropped me to 1600 calories (to increase weight loss), like the Good Housekeeping/Self magazine "ideal" numbers, but I felt I was selling myself short after a bit and chnaged it back. I'm having massive hair shedding issues and read that too low of a deficit could make that worse so I freaked and felt I needed more calories. My TDEE is around 2800. I don't record my exercise here or eat back my calories.
Was I cheating my body when I dropped my cals lower? Does it seem like I'm on the right path again with numbers now? Activity level seem correct? The 1900 range definitely helps with hunger and I'm hoping it will also help to minimize shedding (I've also sought med advice for the hair issues). I'd love to find a balance in which I don't end up fat and bald for the rest of my life.
ETA: I'm 245 and would like to get to a strong 160-165 or so.0 -
If you count cleaning your house as exercise, you don't understand exercise.
Please don't count cleaning as exercise.0 -
. I'm having massive hair shedding issues and read that too low of a deficit could make that worse so I freaked and felt I needed more calories. My TDEE is around 2800. I don't record my exercise here or eat back my calories.
Was I cheating my body when I dropped my cals lower? Does it seem like I'm on the right path again with numbers now? Activity level seem correct? The 1900 range definitely helps with hunger and I'm hoping it will also help to minimize shedding (I've also sought med advice for the hair issues). I'd love to find a balance in which I don't end up fat and bald for the rest of my life.
ETA: I'm 245 and would like to get to a strong 160-165 or so.
Your TDEE is about 2800. You were eating 1600 calories. That is approximately a 43% calorie deficit. Way too aggressive, and as you found out, not healthy. A typical deficit should be 20%. The very obese can afford to take a bigger cut, with 85 pounds still to lose you might consider a 25% cut. So, 25% of 2800 would be 2100 calories per day. Don't eat back exercise calories. This % cut will have to get smaller when you get closer to goal weight.0 -
I am listed as sedentary. That is because I am. I do sit all day at a desk. When I go to the market and come home and do chores. it is more than I would do after eating my supper.
I once watched my 2 granddaughters and that is constant activity compared to what you are used to. The bending, the serving, the cooking, the the fill in mom! I raised my kids 35 years ago. My body is not used to all the activity. I logged it and it was quite high for the day. I got a response from a friend that it did not count. She does it everyday. What do you say, count, or not?0 -
If you count cleaning your house as exercise, you don't understand exercise.
Apparently you don't clean like I clean. Anytime I'm sweating, grunting, and end up tired... heck I call that "exercise". Bending, stooping, hauling, running up and down stairs, etc. - basically calisthenics. Now if someone is pansy-a$$ing their way around the house maybe folding a load of laundry and washing a few dishes, then, no, that's not exercise.
OP - If you are up and around most of the day, then you can account for your "normal" level of activity in the "Activity" part of the Goals calculation of MFP. For example, instead of "sedentary", you might say "lightly active" ... maybe "moderately", if you go up and down stairs frequently, etc. But unless you're actually making yourself sweat, I wouldn't try to log it as exercise - imo.0 -
I am listed as sedentary. That is because I am. I do sit all day at a desk. When I go to the market and come home and do chores. it is more than I would do after eating my supper.
I once watched my 2 granddaughters and that is constant activity compared to what you are used to. The bending, the serving, the cooking, the the fill in mom! I raised my kids 35 years ago. My body is not used to all the activity. I logged it and it was quite high for the day. I got a response from a friend that it did not count. She does it everyday. What do you say, count, or not?
Has what you have been doing been working for you? If you are losing weight at the expected rate, then keep doing what you are doing. If you have not been losing at the expected rate then something is wrong either in tracking, or in how you have things set.0 -
I am totally happy with my results. I am in a hold pattern as I have found in the past. I have only had 3 cheat days in 148 days. I took on MFP seriously, and it has taken off of me!0
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There are many people who struggle with just doing the dishes. I know a few years ago before I started tracking I struggled just to stand and wash my dishes and by the time I was done could feel it. Not to mention that when you sweep or vacuum the resistance you can get. Me personally I count cleaning......when I first started I counted all cleaning because I wasn't doing much of it before. Now I only count extra things like cleaning out a closet moving boxes, washing walls etc. But I always count my yard work regardless of this being a weekly thing. My muscles are sore after I am done doing it including riding on the tractor as I tend to tighten all my leg muscles on my tractor not sure why I do this but after words feel like I have been pushing weights with my legs.0
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Cleaning is not exercise.
It burns some calories yes, but many things do. It is not exercise.0 -
Just count it as part of your daily expenditure.
IMO, I still had to clean house before I came to this healthy lifestyle...I certainly didn't count it then. 0 -
I only log cleaning calories when I do something out of the ordinary that takes a min of 45 minutes such as cleaning an entire large bathroom, cleaning carpets, moving furniture. I will log walking at a slow pace if I go shopping for the same amount of time plus.
Neither of which amount to much so really a waste of time doing so...200 calories maybe.
But it is also better than sitting in front of the computer or TV.
So it's basically all up to the individual.0 -
Just count it as part of your daily expenditure.
IMO, I still had to clean house before I came to this healthy lifestyle...I certainly didn't count it then.
I have never counted cleaning as part of exercise, ever. It was something I did when I was fat for over a decade and I know I didn't start cleaning more intensely to lose weight. I started to do resistance training and pay attention to what I ate.0 -
When I'm at the sink doing dishes, or loading laundry in the washer, or sweeping, mopping, whatever, I'm playing some fast and loud music and dancing or jogging in place or stretching or something, so my version of cleaning does include exercise. While it's not "normal" exercise, I'm working up a sweat, my muscles burn and my heart rate is up. I count every bit of it too 0
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When I'm at the sink doing dishes, or loading laundry in the washer, or sweeping, mopping, whatever, I'm playing some fast and loud music and dancing or jogging in place or stretching or something, so my version of cleaning does include exercise. While it's not "normal" exercise, I'm working up a sweat, my muscles burn and my heart rate is up. I count every bit of it too
HAHA - mee tooooo!! I even dance while I'm cooking! Life is too short not to dance when the music is playing, even if you're washing dishes.
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When I'm at the sink doing dishes, or loading laundry in the washer, or sweeping, mopping, whatever, I'm playing some fast and loud music and dancing or jogging in place or stretching or something, so my version of cleaning does include exercise. While it's not "normal" exercise, I'm working up a sweat, my muscles burn and my heart rate is up. I count every bit of it too
So do I...
I have a desk job and only clean/do laundry on the weekends. Up and down stairs with baskets full of clothes, hanging them out if it's nice enough, scrubbing floors, changing bed, folding dozens of towels, carrying large boxes of bottles for canning etc.
I was on my feet from 9am until 5pm cooking and cleaning on sunday...that is not counted in my exercise journal.
Because I did that when I was fat too...I don't even count when I help someone move...
If it's not purposeful exercise that you plan to do for your health and you did it while you were heavier then you shouldn't count it...and if you do and you don't lose as fast you will know why.
ETA: I have a fitness tracker too and know exactly how many steps I take and calories I burn but I still don't count them but if my average steps are over 10k a day I make my activity level lightly active...not sedentary.0 -
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Hey thanks. I know the numbers don't lie and even a small deficit will get me there eventually, it's just hard to veer from quick fix/loss mode.. I'm having massive hair shedding issues and read that too low of a deficit could make that worse so I freaked and felt I needed more calories. My TDEE is around 2800. I don't record my exercise here or eat back my calories.
Was I cheating my body when I dropped my cals lower? Does it seem like I'm on the right path again with numbers now? Activity level seem correct? The 1900 range definitely helps with hunger and I'm hoping it will also help to minimize shedding (I've also sought med advice for the hair issues). I'd love to find a balance in which I don't end up fat and bald for the rest of my life.
ETA: I'm 245 and would like to get to a strong 160-165 or so.
Your TDEE is about 2800. You were eating 1600 calories. That is approximately a 43% calorie deficit. Way too aggressive, and as you found out, not healthy. A typical deficit should be 20%. The very obese can afford to take a bigger cut, with 85 pounds still to lose you might consider a 25% cut. So, 25% of 2800 would be 2100 calories per day. Don't eat back exercise calories. This % cut will have to get smaller when you get closer to goal weight.0 -
Hey thanks. I know the numbers don't lie and even a small deficit will get me there eventually, it's just hard to veer from quick fix/loss mode.. I'm having massive hair shedding issues and read that too low of a deficit could make that worse so I freaked and felt I needed more calories. My TDEE is around 2800. I don't record my exercise here or eat back my calories.
Was I cheating my body when I dropped my cals lower? Does it seem like I'm on the right path again with numbers now? Activity level seem correct? The 1900 range definitely helps with hunger and I'm hoping it will also help to minimize shedding (I've also sought med advice for the hair issues). I'd love to find a balance in which I don't end up fat and bald for the rest of my life.
ETA: I'm 245 and would like to get to a strong 160-165 or so.
Your TDEE is about 2800. You were eating 1600 calories. That is approximately a 43% calorie deficit. Way too aggressive, and as you found out, not healthy. A typical deficit should be 20%. The very obese can afford to take a bigger cut, with 85 pounds still to lose you might consider a 25% cut. So, 25% of 2800 would be 2100 calories per day. Don't eat back exercise calories. This % cut will have to get smaller when you get closer to goal weight.
Change your thinking from "even a small deficit" to "20% is a healthy deficit". Unless you have a serious health issue where your doctor has ordered that you lose as much as possible as fast as possible, then it is just not worth the health issues you are causing by trying to drop it too quickly.0 -
even at 387lb i never counted cleaning as exercise
my level is set to sedentary
the only walking i count is if im out walking trails
other than that my exercise consists of running, swimming, lifting and machines at the gym0 -
I only ever use light cleaning and that's when I am doing some serious cleaning, taking out of heavy bags of garbage, etc. Even then I only count half the time I do it and eat back maybe half of that. LOL I'm too afraid to over-estimate!
Losing 1-2 lbs a week at this point so I feel okay about it, but might change it more if that changes. 0 -
Lyndsey, It looks like you like to hit exercise hard. That's good for you; it's your personal choice. I understand where you're coming from, as I was a professional athlete and 2-sport intercollegiate athlete. However, the meme you posted and the words you used, asserting that other people do not "understand exercise" because they are asking about counting housework, clearly speaks to your not undestanding people very well. I hope that you will please get a good grip, not just on the bar (or dumbbell) you're holding, but on the words you use in relation to others. Good luck in all you do. Be kind and understanding. In the end, it's your character, and not your body that matters. Actually, it's not just more important in the end, it's more important now, too. Don't let too many clean and jerks make you so proud that you start acting like a jerk.LyndseyLovesToLift wrote: »If you count cleaning your house as exercise, you don't understand exercise.
Please don't count cleaning as exercise.
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Hopefully they OP's house is clean now.
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SonicDeathMonkey80 wrote: »If you want to cook the books in your exercise diary, feel free to do so. Don't forget you can log billiards, fishing, and playing darts too.
I have actually seen someone log "fishing" 1 hour...350 cals....lol.....smh! To each their own, but you're only kidding yourself if you log something that isn't accurate....and then in three months, when you haven't lost and can't understand why, this may be a part of the problem... Good luck!! xo0
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