Hey everyone!
I've been using myfinesspal to track my calories for almost a month now and was just wondering:
I work 6 nights in a row, from 10:00pm to 7:00am at a grocery store.
I stock shelves/face shelves(grocery) and do cash when there are customers.
When I do grocery I go from standing on a stool, to just standing, to sitting on the stool, to on my knees, and sometimes to sitting right on the floor. Lots and lots of standing and walking, as it is a nine hour shift.
I haven't yet counted this as any form of exercise on myfitnesspal.
I was just wondering if anyone else would include this, if so, what should I count it as?
I wouldn't count my daily activity separately, but most calorie calculators ask how you would classify your daily activity; I think you can safely say that you are not sedentary. But I wouldn't count it as separate "exercise" because, to me, it doesn't seem strenuous enough.
EatMoreCelery: I'm aware when my I posted the thread, there were other active threads and people online at the time. I commented on it because it was no longer on the "new thread" page, so obviously there were people on here. I have patience, thanks.
I don't think I would put this down as any exercise, I think I would adjust the lifestyle setting in MFP - probably to semi-sedentary? Something to that effect....
I use myfitnesspal too, and I agree with those who are saying there is really no exercise activity you can categorize what your work day consists of under. The exercises on myfitnesspal are those of keeping your heart rate up consistantly for a period of time. Now, if you were stocking the shelves constantly for 30 minutes or so...that's a different story!
Your activity level should definitely be categorized as lightly active - I too worked those types of hours in grocery stores and did similar work to what you're doing. It's definitely better than a desk job (as I have now) as far as being active is concerned. On MFP I'm under the lightly active category because I do exercise 3 to 5 days a week, but I don't spend the majority of the day being active.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ElociN2392
Hey everyone!
I've been using myfinesspal to track my calories for almost a month now and was just wondering:
I work 6 nights in a row, from 10:00pm to 7:00am at a grocery store.
I stock shelves/face shelves(grocery) and do cash when there are customers.
When I do grocery I go from standing on a stool, to just standing, to sitting on the stool, to on my knees, and sometimes to sitting right on the floor. Lots and lots of standing and walking, as it is a nine hour shift.
I haven't yet counted this as any form of exercise on myfitnesspal.
I was just wondering if anyone else would include this, if so, what should I count it as?
I would say I wouldn't count it. To me it's general work. I think you have to draw a line at what is exercise and what isn't exercise. Exercise is something you do away from work. Otherwise you may as well count steps to the toilet and a squat.
Sure there may me times when your more active at work, but you should keep proper exercise separate, it's more beneficial to you in the long run.
Unless your a gym instructor, what activity you do at work should just be seen as a bonus to your normal exercises.
while i agree with the above that is not "exercise" keep in mind it IS a high level of NEAT- NON_exercise Activity Thermogenisis..... MUCH MORE than the *avg * person gets in a day, and i GUARANTEE you are burning 3-6X the amount of calories at your job than you would burn in an hour at the gym
Definitely consider the exercise, even if you don't *count* it- keep in mind that you have done something that is working your body more than just sitting or laying in bed. I have found that I get really hungry on days where I have grocery shopped or gone to the mall for an hour or two. I found a website that explains what you can do to lose 500 calories and shopping for 2 hours is one of them- so if you feel you want to add in some calories to keep your body going!
I would count it. I used to work in retail and switched to a job where I was still on my feet but not lifting and my weight went up. I'm sure just using my arms regularly built up my muscles there more. But it wouldn't be vigorous activity.
It's not really that important though is it? Your body will tell you pretty quickly if you're losing weight on the calories that you're now eating anyway.
Include or not include.
