Washing a car (calories burned)

How big is the car? 10 calories for a Smart Car and 100 cals for a Limo is the rule I live and die by.

You could try logging it as a light walk, although I imagine a good lay burns more lol.

Ok, if your not in the mood for jokes. Washing a car will probably just be considered as an everyday activity (although not done everyday) and will be included in your overall TDEE. To some people washing their car might mean standing with a hose pipe aimed at it so it's hard to track.

My understanding has always been that logged exercise is that which significantly raises your heart rate. That being said, were constantly burning calories just by being alive, so theoretically you did burn something. I'd log it as 50cals as well. It's great that you're working with a doc on your endeavor.

DavPul wrote: »

_DaniC wrote: »

Some advice, which you can choose to ignore and I will totally respect that lol I wouldn't log it as exercise. The reason is that technically it isn't exercise. Yes you burn calories, but why not make them "bonus" calories. I used to log all the walking I did daily (about 20 mins) as exercise and it hurt my cause more than it helped. It gave me an entitled feeling that I could skip my workout because at least I did some walking, plus it gave me more calories. It hindered my progress and motivation to do actual exercise.

I THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS A FORUM FOR SUPPORT

GRITSandSLUTS wrote: »

BULL! I put it as heavy cleaning and went with the number it gave me. I am so tired I am laying down . . . not a good time for jokes. ... I'm doing this myfitnesspal and turning it in to my MD, so it is important when it comes to losing weight.

No, not bull. Don't make the mistake of directly linking calorie burn with perceived effort. A fit person your weight would burn essentially the same calories performing the task as you did, but would not be collapsing afterwards.

Just because it wore you out does not mean the calorie burn is necessarily greater. What it means is that you are quite unfit at present (no insult intended) and what should be a relatively easy task is more difficult for you at present.

Being unfit does not elevate calorie burn, not by enough to matter.

Been there, done that.

As an example, when I first started running at my heaviest (255) I would burn almost exactly the same calories per mile as I would three weeks later. The only difference was that three weeks later I was somewhat more fit and didn't feel like I was about to die, and could run 1 or 2km non stop, even though I wasn't that much lighter.

What changed in three weeks? Miles did not get shorter and I was much the same weight. My pace did not change, either. I simply perceived less effort because I was more fit, but the actual work effort (speed, distance, weight) remained the same, therefore same calorie burn.

Back to you: Imagine you wash your car every day for a month but lose zero weight, intentionally. Do you think car washing will be easier or harder by the end of the month?

Easier, because your fitness will have improved.

Same calorie burn though.

You'll be doing yourself and your progress a disservice if you overestimate effort and calorie burn due to your perceptions based on your current level of fitness.

Best of luck
Mike

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My brain burns 250- 300 calories a day the rest of my body around 1600 calories just laying on the couch. Did you burn calories washing your car YES 100% did you burn many more than you would have laying on the couch not that many more maybe an extra 100 calories. The fact that your tired is because your cardio system is out of shape not because you did something your body can easily do everyday if you had a well working cardio system..

dirtyflirty30 wrote: »

Whoa, lighten up, friend.

In all seriousness, I live by the rule that unless I had to put on a sports bra for it, I don't count it on the tracker (with the exception of a planned walk). Count this as a bonus, as others have said, and feel proud of it.

Twinsies! I have the same rule!

Washing a car is probably 50 calories. Laying down afterwards is -50 calories. So basically you broke even.

Calling troll.

Sad to see people piling on to @GRITSandSLUTS.

Yes, her reply to the early answers provided was off base, no doubt due to being misinformed, but it seems pretty clear that hers was an honest question just the same.

Washing a car is more like a light activity. I doubt that you burn more than a 100. I know you have to stand and hose it down (so there is resting periods). I would consider cleaning my car = cleaning my dishes or the entire kitchen (not joking here).

PAtinCO wrote: »

No offense but being that meticulous about counting every calorie burned seems more like trying to find a way to maximize food intake rather than focusing on weight loss.

It's better to count less calories burned rather than more if you're trying to lose weight. Always estimate on the low side and ignore things that are minor. You'll benefit more from that approach.

I am with PATinco. I wish there is a like button for this answer.