Slow walking? Repost.

emmaruns
emmaruns Posts: 189 Member
edited October 7 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi all,

I posted this in the general area but didn't get any replies so I thought I would repost it here.

I have a "tread desk" that I got late last year and have really been putting it to use over the last month. I walk at 2-2.5 mph, anywhere from 6 to 10 miles each day. I don't think I should eat those calories back b/c I'm not sweating, more just moving around (I'm walking as I type this).

Any insight would be appreciated. I also work out on the elliptical and hope to lose 75 more pounds. More than anything, I'm looking to build habits for a lifetime of fitness. Friend me, too!

Thanks,
Emily

Replies

  • ansonrinesmith
    ansonrinesmith Posts: 741 Member
    If you are putting in 3-4 hours of walking, I think that would be a significant amount of calories.
    I don't know your body weight or fitness level, but I would say that is about 600-700 calories.
  • japruzze
    japruzze Posts: 453 Member
    Do you have a heart rate monitor or is the walk-desk equiped with one? You don't have to sweat to get your heart rate up. You are benefiting from the "work-walk". I would count it.
  • emmaruns
    emmaruns Posts: 189 Member
    Thanks! If I'm eating whole foods and feeling very satisfied not counting them, is there any downside to not eating them back? Just curious.
  • heathersmilez
    heathersmilez Posts: 2,579 Member
    I would log it as walking 2.0. If you really are uncomfortable with logging it then be sure to change your activity level to lightly active because you don't have a traditional sedentary desk job.
  • emmaruns
    emmaruns Posts: 189 Member
    Oh, and MFP says I burn like 1200 calories doing this, which is just slightly less than what I EAT a day.
  • heathersmilez
    heathersmilez Posts: 2,579 Member
    Thanks! If I'm eating whole foods and feeling very satisfied not counting them, is there any downside to not eating them back? Just curious.

    Overtime your metabolism will slow down if you undereat plus your body does get used to eating less so although you don't feel like you are starving or hungry you probably are. All you need is one little cheat meal on the weekend to trigger an all out binge because you didn't realize just how hungry you were.
  • kristilovescake
    kristilovescake Posts: 669 Member
    My opinion: I would either count it or change your activity level to make sure it accounts for those calories burned. You definitely don't want to under eat.

    Eating too little calories is unhealthy (meaning, not eating enough for your activity level) because you're essentially starving your body of the nutrients it needs. You might not FEEL hungry, but you still want to make sure you're eating enough so your body functions efficiently.

    If you're still not sure, you can get a HRM and see the difference in calories burned by walking vs sitting at a desk.
  • kristilovescake
    kristilovescake Posts: 669 Member
    Thanks! If I'm eating whole foods and feeling very satisfied not counting them, is there any downside to not eating them back? Just curious.

    And to specifically answer this question, you should search MFP for "eating exercise calories" - I have seen a lot of really good information posted regarding what happens if you don't eat enough calories, I'm just too lazy to search and repost here.
  • emmaruns
    emmaruns Posts: 189 Member
    Thanks, glad I posted! Would you mind taking a peek at my journal and maybe suggest some things to add?
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    If you are set to sedentary lifestyle, then I'd log it as exercise. But it might be more accurate to set yourself to active (or whatever the nurse/waitress setting is called) and then only log your workouts.
  • emmaruns
    emmaruns Posts: 189 Member
    If you are set to sedentary lifestyle, then I'd log it as exercise. But it might be more accurate to set yourself to active (or whatever the nurse/waitress setting is called) and then only log your workouts.

    That sounds like a good approach, thanks!
  • mwitthaus
    mwitthaus Posts: 4 Member
    I agree with the other posters re: activity level. Definitely more than sedentary.
  • emmaruns
    emmaruns Posts: 189 Member
    I agree with the other posters re: activity level. Definitely more than sedentary.

    Thanks Dad! :)
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