Do you track walking at work?

danapenguin
danapenguin Posts: 161
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello! I am still new to this. I was wondering if you walk a lot at work ( i am a nursing assistant), should I track that as an exercise? If I track, it says I burn about 900 calories in the 7 hours that I am walking and raises my daily allowed calories, however I am not losing weight =\ So does my work count? Or should I be doing other things?

Replies

  • Tybear73
    Tybear73 Posts: 20 Member
    Hey Dana. Good question.

    When you signed up and set your preferences MFP would have asked how active you are in your daily life and then used that answer to determine your daily calories. If you chose moderate or active, rather than sedentary, then you likely shouldn't include walking at work as exercise. Personally, unless I am actively being physical I don't count it. Remember the point here is to increase your activity and reduce your caloric intake. So, if you do the walking at work and don't eat those calories back...consider it a bonus and know you're tilting the equation in your favour. This is only the way I see it, it really is up to you. Best of luck. Tyler
  • danapenguin
    danapenguin Posts: 161
    Thank you Tyler! After thinking about it some more, I think that I am going to stop counting it as exercise because even with watching my calories, I am not seeing results. My body is used to me walking at work for 7 hours. My body needs something different and new. So, for now on I am going to try to do more physical activity besides counting my work!
  • mamamc03
    mamamc03 Posts: 1,067 Member
    For fun yes... On MFP.. No
  • Tybear73
    Tybear73 Posts: 20 Member
    Good for you. Keep in mind ALL physical activity counts towards your overall better health and well being. Walking for 7 hours a day at work shows you have endurance. Give yourself credit, but it sounds like you're going to have to kick it up a notch. :smile:

    If you aren't sure what you'd like to do or where to start, consider purchasing a workout DVD that you can do at home a couple times a week. There are dozens (if not hundreds) out there, but just make sure it's suited for your level of fitness. The goal is to get your heart rate up and keep it up for your workout duration (that is entirely up to you). I started out with The Biggest Loser - The Workout DVD and found it a great place to start.

    I know not everybody has a budget to purchase equipment and fitness tools but if you don't have one already and can swing it consider getting yourself a decent heart rate monitor (even if you have to save up, I suggest you invest in a good quality one rather than buy the cheapest one just to get it faster). This is by far the most valuable fitness tool you can have, in my humble opinion. Most of them will allow you to set a range of where your target heart rate is and will beep at you if you fall below or above that range. This way you know when to slow down a bit or when you need to push yourself a bit harder to get the heart rate up again. Great for walking for exercise and hikes!

    Here's just one article on heart rate stuff. Do some research if you're interested. http://exercise.about.com/od/weightloss/a/The-Truth-About-The-Fat-Burning-Zone.htm

    Of course, you can still be successful without buying DVD's and heart-rate monitors. I offer this as suggestions with only the best of intentions - your success. Really, only YOU know what is best for you. Best of luck to you, again. Tyler
  • MamaJess
    MamaJess Posts: 181 Member
    If you do count your walking, do not eat those calories. I never eat my extra calories I have earned from exercise. Only my base line calorie limit that I have set.
  • MashaSK
    MashaSK Posts: 142 Member
    Hmm I don't I walk to work and back half an hour+walk the elevator stair in subway which is so deep in Moscow that can be compared with going to 10th floor w/o elevator sometimes, but how would you know burnt calorie amount anyway
  • Tybear73
    Tybear73 Posts: 20 Member
    Just one more thing, Dana, that I wish I had mentioned in my last post.

    WATER, WATER, WATER, WATER, WATER.... This really can't be stressed enough. Increase your water intake dramatically. Sip on water all day long if you can. It helps in so many ways. All your body functions will improve and you NEED it to flush your body of the by-products of weight loss and digestion. As a medical student you KNOW what I mean. Did I mention WATER?.

    That being said, I must tell you....until relatively recently, I have been terrible at hydration my whole life. I got my hydration from coffee, pop. milk.... aside from the coffee....my hydration came at the cost of empty sugar and calories. I want you to know I can tell you from my own experience the amazing difference WATER makes.

    So, if you don't like, or not used to, drinking water what do you do? While I am not an advocate of artificial sweeteners....for a bevy of reasons that you can Google....if it's an ends to a means consider using 1/4, or less, of a packet of Crystal Light with each LARGE glass or bottle of water (I mention large because the powder is concentrated and it's best to add just enough flavouring to make it taste good to you, so you'll drink it). Once the habit is formed....kick the Crystal light out! The other trick that works for me, strangely enough, is using a couple straws to drink through. Ever notice that you can drink your whole soda before you've finished your happy meal? lol

    Finally, I want to say that after 2 months of drinking at least 8 large glasses of water each day (I'm a big guy) that my facial complexion has improved beyond my best expectations. My skin can "breathe" now, and better remove salt and toxins when I exercise! If I haven't convinced you yet, for this reason alone....it's worth it.

    Best in health,

    Tyler

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