Do "normal walking around" calories not count?
KatsMeow12
Posts: 64 Member
I read on another discussion thread that the calories you burn doing everyday things - grocery shopping, cooking, going up the stairs, etc - do not and should not count toward your overall calorie burn for the day. Is this true? I'm perplexed! I usually count those calories, as well as their steps, IN ADDITION to the ones I've burned doing cardio exercises. But now I'm concerned I've been inadvertently cheating! 
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Replies
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It counts but it is generally factored into your daily activity level.
How are you counting them? Do you have an activity monitor linked to MFP?
If you are counting the steps, and you have the step counter linked to MFP, don't worry about it. It calculates it for you.
If you are logging on your own, how are you logging it?2 -
I use Pacer on my phone. (Not linked to mfp)0
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KatsMeow12 wrote: »I use Pacer on my phone. (Not linked to mfp)
So when you "count" it, how are you logging it?
Is your MFP set to sedentary?0 -
MFP is set to "lightly active." Via Pacer, I average about 5,000 - 6,000 steps per day, with or without the cardio I do. Just to keep myself on my toes, on MFP I subtract 20 calories from the overall count that Pacer gives.0
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KatsMeow12 wrote: »MFP is set to "lightly active." Via Pacer, I average about 5,000 - 6,000 steps per day, with or without the cardio I do. Just to keep myself on my toes, on MFP I subtract 20 calories from the overall count that Pacer gives.
So how much are you adding on per day?
What is your MFP calorie goal?
Are you losing weight? (that's the biggest question, if you are losing, keep doing what you are doing until you aren't then readjust).1 -
Hm. I'm plateauing, so I guess perhaps I need to re-adjust.0
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KatsMeow12 wrote: »Hm. I'm plateauing, so I guess perhaps I need to re-adjust.
In general, your MFP "lightly active" should count those 5000-6000 steps.0 -
Got it. I'll try syncing it again. Last time, as I recall, it was a pain in the butt for some reason but I'll try again.0
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I'm wondering this as well. I have a Fitbit and I keep everything set to sedentary because I usually spend the day in my small apartment playing games or cleaning. But now I do a lot more grocery shopping, and I walk to 3 different stores all the time. Just today I walked over 14k steps, over 6 miles, and according to my Fitbit and MFP, I burned 500 calories.
Did I actually? Someone else told me that walking doesn't actually burn calories.2 -
I'm wondering this as well. I have a Fitbit and I keep everything set to sedentary because I usually spend the day in my small apartment playing games or cleaning. But now I do a lot more grocery shopping, and I walk to 3 different stores all the time. Just today I walked over 14k steps, over 6 miles, and according to my Fitbit and MFP, I burned 500 calories.
Did I actually? Someone else told me that walking doesn't actually burn calories.
It counts. Every movement counts it just not be as many calories as you think.
If you have MFP set to sedentary and the Fitbit connected, it should take care of it for you. It will do the adjustment.
Keep in mind, it is an estimate and it may be a little off.
In OP's case, she didn't have the two linked so the answer is a little different.0 -
Someone else told me that walking doesn't actually burn calories.
Sorry, I've seen this statement on a couple of threads this morning. Does the statement that walking doesn't actually burn calories make sense to you? Our bodies burn calories breathing. Our bodies burn calories digesting food. Holy possum of slothlord, our bodies burn calories whilst lying comatose in a hospital bed.
Common sense should be enough to tell you that either you misunderstood what that person was actually trying to tell you, the person did not communicate the information they intended in a clear way, or that person is full of eucalyptus leaves. You have to think critically about everything that you read or hear from sources of information.
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I'm wondering this as well. I have a Fitbit and I keep everything set to sedentary because I usually spend the day in my small apartment playing games or cleaning. But now I do a lot more grocery shopping, and I walk to 3 different stores all the time. Just today I walked over 14k steps, over 6 miles, and according to my Fitbit and MFP, I burned 500 calories.
Did I actually? Someone else told me that walking doesn't actually burn calories.
6 miles would not be 500 cal unless you weighed 277 lbs......to get a realistic estimate of additional calories expended walking (assuming relatively flat terrain) multiply .30 x weight (in lbs) x distance (in miles) approx 30 cal per mile for every 100lbs of body weight.0 -
My take on this is "if you are alive, you are burning calories" and to lose a pound you have to expend approximately 3500 calories. Doesn't matter whether those calories are from running or from setting at the computer.0
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Every activity burns calories. It just depends how you are counting. I would rather set mine to lightly active and then not count all the little calories throughout the day. But if it works better for you, you can always set yours to sedentary and then count everything. I think it really does about the same thing... it is just what is best for you0
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BrianSharpe wrote: »I'm wondering this as well. I have a Fitbit and I keep everything set to sedentary because I usually spend the day in my small apartment playing games or cleaning. But now I do a lot more grocery shopping, and I walk to 3 different stores all the time. Just today I walked over 14k steps, over 6 miles, and according to my Fitbit and MFP, I burned 500 calories.
Did I actually? Someone else told me that walking doesn't actually burn calories.
6 miles would not be 500 cal unless you weighed 277 lbs......to get a realistic estimate of additional calories expended walking (assuming relatively flat terrain) multiply .30 x weight (in lbs) x distance (in miles) approx 30 cal per mile for every 100lbs of body weight.
It sure FEELS like I burned 500 calories when I run 6 miles, lol
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If you are set to sedentary, count everything!
If set to lightly active, I would not feel comfortable assuming whatever number MFP thinks I burned is accurate every day.0 -
A good way to look at it when it comes to including steps under MFP's categories: Sedentary - under 5000 steps taken in a day; Lightly active - 5000 - 10000; moderately active - 10000 - 15000, active - over 15000.
Back when I had a standard pedometer, the pamphlet that came with it had information along these lines. I'm not claiming it is an exact science, but a good guide to consider when determining activity level and whether to count exercise calories.1 -
BrianSharpe wrote: »
6 miles would not be 500 cal unless you weighed 277 lbs......to get a realistic estimate of additional calories expended walking (assuming relatively flat terrain) multiply .30 x weight (in lbs) x distance (in miles) approx 30 cal per mile for every 100lbs of body weight.
How do I fix my Fitbit then?AmandaHugginkiss wrote: »A good way to look at it when it comes to including steps under MFP's categories: Sedentary - under 5000 steps taken in a day; Lightly active - 5000 - 10000; moderately active - 10000 - 15000, active - over 15000.
Back when I had a standard pedometer, the pamphlet that came with it had information along these lines. I'm not claiming it is an exact science, but a good guide to consider when determining activity level and whether to count exercise calories.
On a normal day, I'll get around 2k steps. I have to make an effort to hit my 5k a day goal, and even then I don't always meet it.
Sorry, I've seen this statement on a couple of threads this morning. Does the statement that walking doesn't actually burn calories make sense to you? Our bodies burn calories breathing. Our bodies burn calories digesting food. Holy possum of slothlord, our bodies burn calories whilst lying comatose in a hospital bed.
Common sense should be enough to tell you that either you misunderstood what that person was actually trying to tell you, the person did not communicate the information they intended in a clear way, or that person is full of eucalyptus leaves. You have to think critically about everything that you read or hear from sources of information.
He's a nurse friend of mine, so he thinks he knows everything and won't let you tell him otherwise.0 -
MichelleLaree13 wrote: »BrianSharpe wrote: »I'm wondering this as well. I have a Fitbit and I keep everything set to sedentary because I usually spend the day in my small apartment playing games or cleaning. But now I do a lot more grocery shopping, and I walk to 3 different stores all the time. Just today I walked over 14k steps, over 6 miles, and according to my Fitbit and MFP, I burned 500 calories.
Did I actually? Someone else told me that walking doesn't actually burn calories.
6 miles would not be 500 cal unless you weighed 277 lbs......to get a realistic estimate of additional calories expended walking (assuming relatively flat terrain) multiply .30 x weight (in lbs) x distance (in miles) approx 30 cal per mile for every 100lbs of body weight.
It sure FEELS like I burned 500 calories when I run 6 miles, lol
Running burns more than walking. A 6 mile run likely would burn 500 calories. A 6 mile walk would not.0 -
KatsMeow12 wrote: »I read on another discussion thread that the calories you burn doing everyday things - grocery shopping, cooking, going up the stairs, etc - do not and should not count toward your overall calorie burn for the day. Is this true? I'm perplexed! I usually count those calories, as well as their steps, IN ADDITION to the ones I've burned doing cardio exercises. But now I'm concerned I've been inadvertently cheating!
There are several facets to calorie expenditure. Basal Metabolic Functions (metabolism), Non Exercise Activity Thermogensis (this is calories from activities not exercise relation, such as walking around, making food, walking to the mailbox, etc...), Thermal Effect of Food (calories burned and digestion), and Thermal effect of activity (calories you burn from exercise). All of those combined equals total daily energy expenditure (TDEE).
Depending on the method, will determine how you come up with a calorie goal. If you use a TDEE calculator, it will take all of those into consideration and give you a number. If you follow the MFP method, it will factor everything but exercise, and give you a number. Once you exercise, you eat back part or all of those calories; this should be about the same as the TDEE method.
In the end, all of these are estimates. So eat at a specific calorie range for 4-6 weeks and adjust based on results. Use a food scale for accuracy.2 -
@MaiLinna Is the 500 calories your fitbit adjustment? If it is then that isn't saying that you burned 500 calories walking. It is saying that through your daily activity you burned 500 calories more than mfp expected you to. It is listed as exercise calories, but it isn't truly exercise calories. Mfp expects you to burn a certain number of calories per day. For me that is 1573. If my fitbit calculates that I have burned 1951 calories then it will give me an adjustment of 378 calories.0
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MichelleLaree13 wrote: »BrianSharpe wrote: »I'm wondering this as well. I have a Fitbit and I keep everything set to sedentary because I usually spend the day in my small apartment playing games or cleaning. But now I do a lot more grocery shopping, and I walk to 3 different stores all the time. Just today I walked over 14k steps, over 6 miles, and according to my Fitbit and MFP, I burned 500 calories.
Did I actually? Someone else told me that walking doesn't actually burn calories.
6 miles would not be 500 cal unless you weighed 277 lbs......to get a realistic estimate of additional calories expended walking (assuming relatively flat terrain) multiply .30 x weight (in lbs) x distance (in miles) approx 30 cal per mile for every 100lbs of body weight.
It sure FEELS like I burned 500 calories when I run 6 miles, lol
For running use a factor of .63 rather than .30........ depending on your weight you're probably not too far off that.0 -
BrianSharpe wrote: »I'm wondering this as well. I have a Fitbit and I keep everything set to sedentary because I usually spend the day in my small apartment playing games or cleaning. But now I do a lot more grocery shopping, and I walk to 3 different stores all the time. Just today I walked over 14k steps, over 6 miles, and according to my Fitbit and MFP, I burned 500 calories.
Did I actually? Someone else told me that walking doesn't actually burn calories.
6 miles would not be 500 cal unless you weighed 277 lbs......to get a realistic estimate of additional calories expended walking (assuming relatively flat terrain) multiply .30 x weight (in lbs) x distance (in miles) approx 30 cal per mile for every 100lbs of body weight.
Your calc is missing speed. 6miles at 4mph is going to burn more than 6 miles at 2mph.
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BillMcKay1 wrote: »BrianSharpe wrote: »I'm wondering this as well. I have a Fitbit and I keep everything set to sedentary because I usually spend the day in my small apartment playing games or cleaning. But now I do a lot more grocery shopping, and I walk to 3 different stores all the time. Just today I walked over 14k steps, over 6 miles, and according to my Fitbit and MFP, I burned 500 calories.
Did I actually? Someone else told me that walking doesn't actually burn calories.
6 miles would not be 500 cal unless you weighed 277 lbs......to get a realistic estimate of additional calories expended walking (assuming relatively flat terrain) multiply .30 x weight (in lbs) x distance (in miles) approx 30 cal per mile for every 100lbs of body weight.
Your calc is missing speed. 6miles at 4mph is going to burn more than 6 miles at 2mph.
Not appreciably, it's physics: mass x distance x acceleration.....walking faster will result in an increased cardiovascular benefit but you're still moving the same mass over the same distance. (Race walking is the exception to this due to its mechanical inefficiency......you may actually expend more calories race walking that running at a moderate pace over the same distance)1 -
I was under the impression 6 miles burnt the same number of calories regardless of speed, you would just burn them quicker if you run...0
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I was under the impression 6 miles burnt the same number of calories regardless of speed, you would just burn them quicker if you run...
No, running burns roughly double the calories that walking the same distance would.
runnersworld.com/weight-loss/how-many-calories-are-you-really-burning2 -
I don't count any of my day-to-day movements as exercise. I walk on my break, I do track those walks because it adds up to 45 minutes walking every day in addition to my other exercise but that's it. For me, it's pointless. I actually bought a fitbit and returned it the next day because I felt like it was phony. I don't consider walking to the bathroom or kitchen exercise.
By all means, if the extra calories you're burning or steps your seeing are helping you to move more and challenge yourself then by all means.. Track it! My opinion is just that it's silly. If you think that it's negatively affecting your progress then stop tracking it and see if that helps!0 -
@MaiLinna Is the 500 calories your fitbit adjustment? If it is then that isn't saying that you burned 500 calories walking. It is saying that through your daily activity you burned 500 calories more than mfp expected you to. It is listed as exercise calories, but it isn't truly exercise calories. Mfp expects you to burn a certain number of calories per day. For me that is 1573. If my fitbit calculates that I have burned 1951 calories then it will give me an adjustment of 378 calories.
Yes, but on a normal day I am very sedentary, sometimes not even hitting 2k steps. So technically, yes, it was all walking. I've read that you should take a good quarter off of that though. Not that I eat back my calories or anything.0 -
@MaiLinna Is the 500 calories your fitbit adjustment? If it is then that isn't saying that you burned 500 calories walking. It is saying that through your daily activity you burned 500 calories more than mfp expected you to. It is listed as exercise calories, but it isn't truly exercise calories. Mfp expects you to burn a certain number of calories per day. For me that is 1573. If my fitbit calculates that I have burned 1951 calories then it will give me an adjustment of 378 calories.
Yes, but on a normal day I am very sedentary, sometimes not even hitting 2k steps. So technically, yes, it was all walking. I've read that you should take a good quarter off of that though. Not that I eat back my calories or anything.
If you used mfp to set your goal then you should eat back a portion of your exercise adjustment. I find my fitbit very accurate for me and can eat all of my exercise adjustment back. Some people find it less accurate and only eat a percentage back. I would start with 50-75% and after about 4 weeks if you are losing faster than your goal you know you can eat back more or if you aren't losing as fast as you expect then eat back less.2 -
abitofbliss wrote: »I don't count any of my day-to-day movements as exercise. I walk on my break, I do track those walks because it adds up to 45 minutes walking every day in addition to my other exercise but that's it. For me, it's pointless. I actually bought a fitbit and returned it the next day because I felt like it was phony. I don't consider walking to the bathroom or kitchen
This. I got a Fitbit and was like, okay I did not just burn 300 calories or take 1,000 steps going from my bedroom down to the kitchen. Come on. That thing feels wrong. My Pacer makes more sense and feels more accurate.1
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