How would you log this? Or would you?

radosti1
radosti1 Posts: 198 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have people coming for passover seder. I cooked for 4 hrs last night and did not log it. Got up this morning and have been cooking since 8am. It's 2pm now and I am completely beat. I still have to make a few things. But those will be closer to eating time. I have to clean some more still. Anyway, normally, I don't log cooking. But this is a marathon of cooking. I've made 2 pots of soup, turkey/matzoh patties, eggplant caviar, pulled beef, matzoh balls are almost ready, salad needs to be assembled... you get my point. And clean clean clean, wash wash wash.

So, would you log it, and if so, how? Cause I will need the calories for dinner. I know cooking is an activity on here, but it seems insane to log 6 hrs of cooking. Even 3 seems over the top. Did I really burn all that?
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Replies

  • jenlarz
    jenlarz Posts: 813 Member
    I've seen people log cooking, did you check the database?
  • radosti1
    radosti1 Posts: 198 Member
    Yeah, but to log 6 hrs of what's listed as cooking on here would show something close to or over 1000 cals. Seems insane.
  • Hollybot
    Hollybot Posts: 108 Member
    I think you answered your own question. If you think it is insane, then don't log it!
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    I have a BodyMedia Fit that tracks my activity and metabolism throughout the day. Last Sunday morning, I spent 162 minutes in the kitchen doing food prep, cooking and dishes. In that time, I burned 623 calories. If I'd been sitting on the couch relaxing with a book, I would have only burned 178 calories.

    So... in short - it's DEFINITELY worth logging. Cooking/food prep is actually an option in the MFP exercise database.
  • radosti1
    radosti1 Posts: 198 Member
    Right, but I am tired and sweaty, so I definitely burned some calories. It's insane to log 1000 cals. But what would be closer to the truth.
  • lizblizz28
    lizblizz28 Posts: 166
    You could split your total time cooking into a few hours of cooking and a few hours of walking at a moderately slow pace. This would account for you being on your feet all that time and walking around to get what you need.
  • radosti1
    radosti1 Posts: 198 Member
    I have a BodyMedia Fit that tracks my activity and metabolism throughout the day. Last Sunday morning, I spent 162 minutes in the kitchen doing food prep, cooking and dishes. In that time, I burned 623 calories. If I'd been sitting on the couch relaxing with a book, I would have only burned 178 calories.

    So... in short - it's DEFINITELY worth logging. Cooking/food prep is actually an option in the MFP exercise database.

    Wow, really? Then maybe it's not insane. I should have put my HRM on. But I didn't. Blah.
  • deeannhill
    deeannhill Posts: 85 Member
    IF the activity is significantly more than what you normally do in the same stretch of time, the log it. However, in this case, I think the question of "eating back exercise calories" is insignificant. Enjoy your Passover Feast!
  • rmhand
    rmhand Posts: 1,067 Member
    I would log something. How much time would you say you actually did spend cooking? From your descriptions I'd easily give you 500 calories.
  • doyledozo
    doyledozo Posts: 42 Member
    If I can burn 1000 calories taking an hour and a half walk (HRM) I dont see any reason why you can't burn that in 6 hours bustin *kitten* in a hot kitchen. Whenever I need to log something like that I claim about 3/4 of the actual time. That's just me though.
  • kittzle
    kittzle Posts: 190 Member
    When I do cooking or cleaning (or the walking part of shopping), I usually log half the time I did. So if I cooked for 2 hours, I just log 1 hour. Makes the calories burned seem a little more realistic to me.

    As for shopping, I usually log walking at the slowest speed. Why? Because they say you burn 100 calories/hour just by standing up.
  • mamagooskie
    mamagooskie Posts: 2,964 Member
    I wouldn't log it.
  • SyntonicGarden
    SyntonicGarden Posts: 944 Member
    Split the difference, log half, and just watch what you eat tonight. Have a wonderful seder!
  • LatinaGordita
    LatinaGordita Posts: 377 Member
    I personally would not log it, unless I was wearing a heart rate monitor. MFP over estimates. If I were in your shoes, I would enjoy easter dinner in moderation, and just log my cals even if I am over. If you put the 1000 cals MFP estimates you might go way over your actual cals, if you do not add them it will keep you making moderate choices for dinner.
  • doyledozo
    doyledozo Posts: 42 Member
    When I do cooking or cleaning (or the walking part of shopping), I usually log half the time I did. So if I cooked for 2 hours, I just log 1 hour. Makes the calories burned seem a little more realistic to me.

    As for shopping, I usually log walking at the slowest speed. Why? Because they say you burn 100 calories/hour just by standing up.


    ^^^^ This...but she said it better :)
  • Microfiber_wechange
    Microfiber_wechange Posts: 640
    Thank you. I've just logged my 1 hour of cleaning today which I wouldn't have done if I hadn't read this thread ;)
  • MdmAcolyte
    MdmAcolyte Posts: 382 Member
    If 6 hours of cooking is equal to 1,000 calories, that breaks down to about 160 calories and hour. I dont think that is unfeasible to log per hour. You do that sitting around and typing and such... Id log it since its not an "everyday" activity.
  • ThatCindyGirl
    ThatCindyGirl Posts: 26
    Most people don't realize the physical effects of cooking but growing up in the kitchen I can tell you...it may sound insane but its a great way to burn way...just like fishing lol 6 hours of cooking? Think about it. You are on your feet, moving around the kitchen, constantly using your arms to stir, chop and gather stuff...and the heat that you build up in the kitchen tends to break a good sweat. 6 hours. Think again...1000 calories in 6 hours is not that insane. I say you should log it. If you feel you didn't burn that much tweak it. The only way to really know a more accurate total is to use something like a fit bit/calorie counter/HRM.
  • SPNLuver83
    SPNLuver83 Posts: 2,050 Member
    I wouldn't. I don't think daily activities or chores should be logged, but to each his own.
  • jennifer52484
    jennifer52484 Posts: 888 Member
    Compare it so an exersize that you do more often. Better to log less calories burned especially if your plan is to eat them.
  • DiannaMoorer
    DiannaMoorer Posts: 783 Member
    I think you should log it. You sweated, walked miles back and forth in your kitchen, lifted pots and pans full of heavy food. Log it!!!!
  • GURLEY_GIRL3
    GURLEY_GIRL3 Posts: 347 Member
    WHAT DID YOU SET YOUR ACTIVITY LEVEL ON MFP? IF NOT TO ACTIVE..I WOULD LOG IT. ATLEAST 1/2 OF IT
  • rsmugala
    rsmugala Posts: 35
    I would log it as light cleaning. I cook during the holidays and it is really a chore!
  • radosti1
    radosti1 Posts: 198 Member
    This is by no means an everyday activity for me. My back is killing me and I need a shower in the worst way. My activity level is set to sedentary. Maybe I will log half. I still have cleaning to do. We'll see how it goes. I wasn't going to go crazy at seder anyway food-wise, just hate the idea of going over when I have been on my feet all day.
  • doyledozo
    doyledozo Posts: 42 Member
    If you're set at sedentary you should most certainly log it...all of it
  • marynmarty
    marynmarty Posts: 89 Member
    It's all in how you felt you did....did you really work it to a sweat? Then I would put the 6 hours in.....if you feel you only sweated a little bit of the time put in 2 hours....it's all in how you felt you did and how fast. I usually don't log cooking or the cleaning as I feel that's just a bonus and I don't want the calories back to where it shows I'm leaving tons of calories behind (although I don't do what you just did with all the cooking lol). I only log my true exercise. I clean all the time as I hate my house being dirty BUT I don't work up a sweat as it's just the daily clean. I think it's how you felt and if you need the calories for dinner I would put something in. BTW I'm coming to your house for supper :-) lol
  • wolfchild59
    wolfchild59 Posts: 2,608 Member
    I've never logged my cooking, especially not on a daily basis type of thing. But in December, when I did a solid 10 hours in the kitchen, just baking the entire time, I burned around 2000 calories for that 10 hour period of time.

    I didn't log it, mostly because I didn't see the burn until I'd plugged in my BMF and by then it was the end of the day and I wasn't going to eat any of those calories at that point anyway. But I'd say log some extra calories and enjoy some extra freedom of eating at your dinner tonight. :)
  • lozfisher
    lozfisher Posts: 36
    Has the time it's taken to cook stopped u doing 'actual exercise'? The reason I ask is that if normally u wouldn't have dine any exercise then don't log it as your only doing it to claim calories. But if normally u would have gone to gym / walk / run then do as the time u spent cooking stopped u doing actual exercise. Not sure if this is right way to look at it but just my thoughts!
  • vicjam2
    vicjam2 Posts: 22 Member
    Log it! Body in motion is burning more calories than sitting or sleeping! I dont understand some of these other posts! I clean house to get extra burned calories!
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    I would log half (500). And if you do end up going over a little from your special dinner and whatever else you have tonight, you'll probably be ok in the end.

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