Is it Really Exercise or Am I Cheating?

I think its can be either

Did you but on weight when you where doing the cleaning in the first place? Then its a cheat. If it was something you never did previously to joining MFP, then its not a cheat.

No I wouldn't bother, especially if you already have lightly active in your settings. You don't burn calories unless your heartrate is increased.. I think by adding them, you are allowing yourself eat more when you're not really burning the calories you think you are

You burn calories just by being alive – when you are lying down, or doing nothing...

The database includes some crazy stuff...

"sitting in boat - fishing" 8 hours = 1506 calories. :huh: :huh: :huh:

I don't log anything I used to do before joining here, so no to housework and everyday stuff, and I've learnt through wearing a FitBit that even walking to work and back (around 25 mins per day) and around the office and home STILL keeps me within the sedentary settings so if I were you I'd only log specific exercise sessions or longer walks (over and above about 25 mins a day) if you want to be true to yourself. Even sedentary isn't totally idle!

I have sedentary as my setting. Normal picking up I do not count but if I spec 1/2 hour cleaning and vacuuming I will input.

If you have light active I would think you would not count it.

No I wouldn't bother, especially if you already have lightly active in your settings. You don't burn calories unless your heartrate is increased.. I think by adding them, you are allowing yourself eat more when you're not really burning the calories you think you are

You burn calories just by being alive – when you are lying down, or doing nothing...

You knew the poster meant ADDITIONAL calories, don't be THAT guy....

i log only intentional exercise. Not regular duties of cleaning, washing car etc....the only other thing I would add is mowing, since it burns so many calories with a push mower. Other than that if its not intentional working out, ie your in work out clothes, your serious ;0) then its normal activity, plus if you dont log the cleaning house etc thats just extra calories you burn you dont track that will help you out, but to eat back whats burned for cleaning house....no I would not add it

I don't add in anything that I was doing when I was fat.

Exercise activities are the things that you deliberately do in order to change your life and be thinner. You get "points" for positive change, not for things you were already doing before.

Great answer.

Depends on the intensity. I would get a Heart Rate Monitor (HRM) to see the amout of calories you are using. It would give you the best number of the calories burned.

You could be double dipping, that is an unknown. Since you are here on MFP, I would NOT include them to be on the safe side and not put yourself in the situation of eating back too many calories.

For example, I do an hour on the elliptical machine (M-F). The machine says I burn 700, my HRM says I burn 900, and MFP says I burn 1100. I used the lowest number to be on the safe side. What's the worst that can happen? I lose a little more weight? No problem. I make sure I eat all of my calories and then some. I have averaged about 4 pounds a week with the exception of the last two. The last two I have been eating out due work. So, even the "healthy" stuff is packed with calories.

I wish you continued success!

I don't understand the reasoning of "don't log something you did when you were fat." I thought the point was to eat slightly under the calories you needed based on the amount you burn every day. Just because you clean when you are fat, doesn't mean you don't burn calories now during it.

I'm set a no activity because I sit at a desk 9-5, during class and doing homework. I log heavy cleaning (scrubbing and floors), the amount I walk (an hour back and forth to work carrying a 15lb bag), as well as kickboxing/yoga/running.

I think if you have it set to light activity and you sit at a desk all day, then it's cheating. If you work on your feet all day and then add the extra in cleaning, it isn't.

haha - the great debate!
It's all up to you, and is it working for you?
Most who log in silly, every day activities defend it in one forum while crying the blues about their lack of progress in another...lol
Seriously, here is what I do.
And yes, it works.
I bought a weighted vest. Mine is 70 lbs - the number of pounds I had lost up to that point.
A lady might get one about 20 or 30 lbs - whatever.
When I wear my vest, I count daily activities as exercise. And it is!
Just my opinion - good luck to you:flowerforyou:

you'd be surprised how much you burn by cleaning. I don't know what your daily calories are set at, but I think generally people are more active then they think.

I wear bodymedia fit and I can burn 2600 in a day just cleaning the house on a rest day. If didn't add it I would only get to eat 1900 calories. This way I eat at least 2400.

i dont add any of that stuff. only thing i might add is gardening.. and by that.. i usually mean heavy work.. moving cement blocks, building walls, etc. not weeding or watering.

I only log honest to goodness exercise. When I purposely put tennis shoes on and take time out to do physical activity. Cleaning doesn't count and I have mine set to sedintary.