Does this even count?

chaoticxinsane
chaoticxinsane Posts: 54 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I am very, very new to even caring about my fitness, let alone taking any action on it. So please forgive me if this is a catastrophically stupid question. I freely admit now that I have zero common sense.

When I signed up for MFP, I selected the 'sedentary' lifestyle because as of right now, on days I'm not working, I'm generally on my bum at my computer for an embarrassing majority of the day. Something I do plan on changing.

On days I work, however, I'm on my feet walking around consistently for 5-6 hours on average, 4 days a week as I go about pricing and occasionally stocking. Two weeks ago I also picked up managing the supply room at my store which means an hour or more of heavy lifting (you would be amazed how much a case of shopping bags weighs!), 3 of those days.

Should I be counting any of my shift as 'exorcise'? I didn't feel like I should be when I first signed up (since in my head, it made up for the lack of movement on my days off) but the one attempt I made to stay at 1200 calories on a work day, I was absolutely miserable and just couldn't do it. On days I'm off, I can do 1200 with no real trouble. I'm afraid I'm running myself into the ground and not realizing it since I've only been at this for a week.


Again, I'm sorry if I'm being an absolute imbecile. I don't know where to look or what to actually ask, or even if it's something I even should be asking.

Replies

  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    If you're on your feet moving at work 4 days a week you certainly aren't sedentary.
    I suggest changing your activity level to lightly active which will give you more calories each day to account for your work. Try this for a few weeks to see how it works out for you - it takes a bit if experimenting to get the settings right for you.
  • cee134
    cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
    If you're on your feet moving at work 4 days a week you certainly aren't sedentary.
    I suggest changing your activity level to lightly active which will give you more calories each day to account for your work. Try this for a few weeks to see how it works out for you - it takes a bit if experimenting to get the settings right for you.

    ditto
  • chaoticxinsane
    chaoticxinsane Posts: 54 Member
    It's just the complete LACK of movement the other 3 days of the week that was throwing me off. XD Bust my *kitten* at work, then promptly sit on it all day as soon as I get home.

    I'll try that, though. And I'm planning on working some actual MOVEMENT into my days off and enjoy this joke of a winter we've been having!
  • stanvoodoo
    stanvoodoo Posts: 1,023 Member
    I would only change it you don't lose then maybe change it to lightly active.

    But never count it as exercise, only time dedicated to exercise should be logged as exercise.

    Your body is used to and expects those calories to be burned!

    Best of Luck!!!
  • chaoticxinsane
    chaoticxinsane Posts: 54 Member
    Well this is week one and I've GAINED a damn pound, so. XD I've been told that's normal though...

    Also playing with the settings, bumping it up to lightly active doesn't change my 1200 calorie goal any, so I'll leave it there anyway and play with just accepting going a bit over on work days to avoid the random bouts of loopy, lightheaded stupidity and crabbiness. :ohwell:
  • Collinsky
    Collinsky Posts: 593 Member
    If you're on your feet moving at work 4 days a week you certainly aren't sedentary.
    I suggest changing your activity level to lightly active which will give you more calories each day to account for your work. Try this for a few weeks to see how it works out for you - it takes a bit if experimenting to get the settings right for you.

    ^ I agree with this. I also want to say that when you start out you can feel like you want to get it right, right away, but it's okay (and even good) to allow a learning curve where you pick up new habits, make adjustments, and figure out what works for you and doesn't. So do what you're doing for a while, read in the forums for perspectives and info as well as support, and make changes if it's not working.

    Good luck!
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