Calories burned on the job?

lerschen
lerschen Posts: 8 Member
edited October 1 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm a nurse in the ICU and I spend a majority of a 12 hour shift on my feet, running back and forth, up and down the hall. I also do a lot of lifting and patients can weigh a lot!

I didn't add any exercise to the days I worked last week but I know I was wiped out after my weekend. Should I just leave the exercise blank and have the satisfaction of knowing I technically did *work out*? I stuck to my calorie goal so that was a plus. I know not all nurses work at the same activity level, and not all days are as busy as others, so there's no realistic way to calculate how I did. I guess what I'm asking is what would YOU do?

Replies

  • Mrs_TrimWaistFatWallet
    Mrs_TrimWaistFatWallet Posts: 486
    Ideally, you could get a BodyMedia FIT or something like it to track your calories burned 24/7. You can sometimes find them cheap on Craigslist.

    Secondly, if you're on your feet all day, you are burning more calories. If you dont get a FIT, allow yourself to go over your calorie goal slightly on days you are running around more to make up for it.

    Eating too little and being too active for too long can make you tired and your muscles will be fatigued!! If you're seeing this, try upping your calories (100-200) on super busy days so that you get a consistent 500 cal daily deficit and 1lb/week (if thats your goal).
  • Womona
    Womona Posts: 1,813 Member
    When you set up your profile, did you list your occupation as one with lots of physical activity, on your feet all day, etc? If not, do so and see how it's figured into you daily calories. I think they are looking for calories burned above and beyond your normal activity level.
  • lerschen
    lerschen Posts: 8 Member
    Thanks for your thoughts!
  • CrimsonVixen
    CrimsonVixen Posts: 18 Member
    Hi,

    My job is similar in activity level (I'm a Police Community Support Officer) and I found that a pedometer really worked to calculate. :) Yours would probably be roughly the same as mine which I found to be an average of 1200cals per day for my weight (55kgs). Seems a lot but I cycle and walk for most of my job when not in the cars.
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