Thoughts about burning calories by cleaning?

I'm a stay at home Mum and have 2 dogs, active little boys and a big messy house. I would never deream of logging cleaning, laundry,dog walking (unless running for 30 mins or more) or even sanding or painting or whatever other DIY jobs I might occasionally have. I never log the school run (and when my boys are on their scooters it literally is that).

I only joined MFP a few weeks ago so it's really too early to tell but my weight loss has been relatively slow (e.g. average less than 1 lb per week)

I do however log any 'proper' exercise, like running, cycling, yoga or whatever, and I eat back the calories. I agree with what others have said I think MFP really exagerates the calories burned through activity.

I think if they are set as sedentary, they can count the moderate effort cleaning. Because when I said sedentary, I meant 5 days out of 7, I have my *kitten* parked in front of my computer at my desk for 8+ hours a day. I only clean-clean on weekends.

And I know my carpet pile is high enough that it's a sweaty workout to maneuver my cheap vacuum around my living room.

That said, I don't count cleaning. I did once when I cleaned the house from top to bottom and it took an entire three day weekend, but I only counted half the amount. And I didn't do it so I could have a free-for-all binge-fest. I did it so I could be sure I was adequately fueling my body that weekend.

But the bottom line is, "they" can do whatever they want. It's their life. I don't think people should have to justify to others what they consider a work out.

I dont log routine cleaning - doing the dishes, etc but I do log heavy duty cleaning - scrubbing/mopping floors, vacuuming, etc. because when I do, I am definitely sweating and my heart rate is definitely higher than if I wiped off the counter. I also only log half the time I do it because I think the burn on MFP is way too generous and I dont have an HRM.
As for gardening - I do not log watering the lawn... but this past weekend I cleared an eighth of an acre by hand, dug rows, planted seeds, and cleared a 4x6 foot flower bed of leaves, vines and shrubs. I was drenched with sweat. I was out there for 4 hours. I logged two. Although it may not be "exercise", you cant tell me that it doesnt burn calories. I am constantly moving, digging, raking, lifting rocks, pulling up weeds and roots, walking around the yard, etc.. that is definitely a workout. I didnt stop often enough to drink water. Today, I am as sore as I would be if I tried to do aerobics or the elliptical for an hour. I am more sore than I was on the first day of C25K.
I just think there needs to be a common sense approach when logging, esp if the person does not have a HRM. I down play my calorie burns a lot or I will look them up on three or 4 different sites and take an average, then log the time to give me the most correct burn I can find.

I don't mean to bash the stay-at-home moms who have a hard time establishing an official workout time, but sometimes when I see how many calories some people burn by putting "cleaning, moderate effort" into their diary it makes me feel like all the sweat pouring off of me when I jog at night is for nothing.
I have also heard from numerous people that myfitnesspal tends to overestimate calories burned on many exercises.
So, how do you feel about having "cleaning" as an exercise? Do you think it really burns that many calories?

1. Why does what someone else logs affect anything about you?

2. I don't count cleaning, personally.

3. People on my FL are adults and if they count cleaning and it works for them, then who am I to tell them not to?

Um, have you tried to be a stay-at-home mom and keep a house clean while your toddler runs around behind you, ruining everything you do as you do it? Not to mention living with a man who stomps around with cows all day and forgets to take his boots off when he lets both dogs in after running through the ditches in the pasture..

I don't log my cleaning, but some days, I feel like I should, because I spend the whole freaking day doing just that.

That being said, why does this argument keep coming up? Is there some written standard of calorie burning that I missed getting? Why does everyone care so much what other people log? Does it really make that much of a difference in your day if someone logs cleaning? If they're getting healthy, losing weight, and being happy, does it really matter how they do it?

I don't mean to bash the stay-at-home moms who have a hard time establishing an official workout time, but sometimes when I see how many calories some people burn by putting "cleaning, moderate effort" into their diary it makes me feel like all the sweat pouring off of me when I jog at night is for nothing.
I have also heard from numerous people that myfitnesspal tends to overestimate calories burned on many exercises.
So, how do you feel about having "cleaning" as an exercise? Do you think it really burns that many calories?

nevermind.

I think it's a cheaters way to eat more.

If the person is still losing, what difference does it make? That's very rude.

Heart rate monitors.

I logged it when I first started. Because I found moving all my furniature to sweep, mop etc a workout. 3 months later I dont count it only because I find it is as hard as a workout video or any other activity for me. I think it depends on the persons activity level. I have a fitbit that just takes count of the steps I do while cleaning so all is good

I use it but don't log near the time I do. I once cleaned at church climbing up and down a ladder (Try that carring 239 lbs and not burn calories or sweat) cleaning 8 chandaliers I washed walls and base boards and washed the wood part on the pews the vaccumed the rest plus other stuff 7 hours and I logged 3 of it.
I really don't see the harm in useing it that way. It depends on your fitness level. if your level is running and sweating good for you but please don't let mine or anyone elses fitnes's level make you feel your work is all for nothing. Myself , I wish I could run and sweat like I use to and might again someday but for now I gotta stick to what I can do.