Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Tracking on Livestrong.com
I was just perusing the activities, and I noticed you can record time you spent reading, either reclining or sitting. You can record sleep. You can record pretty much everything you do. So, my question to you all is whether you track any of that stuff? I only track things that I consider to be work outs, or like yard work or excessive amounts of walking. Basically when I think I've gotten some exercise, I guess. I'm not sure it's worth the time and effort it would take to keep track of every little movement. What do you think?
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What I do is calculate my calorie goal using "Lightly Active" which is seated and standing activities. Then the stuff I track is anything above that. Outside work, cleaning, all that I try to track.
ReplyDeleteGood call, I forgot about it being set on lightly active. I double checked and I had set mine to that as well. :)
ReplyDeleteI only track my actual workout. I find that livestrong is only accurate to a point. I try not to eat the extra calories that it gives me when I record a workout. Besides that, you HAVE to work out in order to acheive long term weight loss, period. I find that if I track every little thing I do, I can justify not going to the gym. Weight loss is 50% eating and 50% exercise it only works if you have both sides working together. I'm not saying that this is what I do obviously, but if I did I wouldn't be where I am today!
ReplyDeleteActually, I am pretty sure that weight loss is a lifestyle change and if fitting your "workout" into things you like to do instead of the gym works for you then it counts. One hour of yard work burns the same number of calories as one hour going 4 mph on a treadmill. And, it's not so boring. So, give yourself credit for what you do and if weight loss isn't happening after a couple weeks maybe you need to take a look at what's going on.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is (I think) that our bodies are affected my so many things (our periods, salt intake, etc.) That it affects our day to day weigh ins. I think what we are looking for is a general downward trend after a longer period of time. This is what I am hoping to learn for myself.
I agree - I wouldn't track things unless they are "actual" exercise or whatever b/c of the 'lightly active' or 'highly active.' Besides, all of those calories are just estimates anyway. I've noticed that they seem high to me (i.e. kickboxing says it's like 768 or something like that when my instructor says it's normally between 500-700 for most people).
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've noticed the same thing about the exercise tracking. I did some cross-country running and it says you burn almost 800 calories per hour. Well, I don't run the whole time (because I can't or I will die.) And there's just no way I burned that many calories. I know it's just a tool, I was just curious how you all do your tracking.
ReplyDeleteMallory, I'm with you on the general downward trend. Plus, if you're exercising and building muscle, that's exactly what you should be seeing. Healthy, sustainable weightloss is generally no more than an average of 2 lbs. per week.
Ha ha, when Lori and I did the 5k, which was awesome!! We probably burned like, 600 calories or something. Then we had bagels. Doh.
ReplyDeleteAnd a doughnut - don't forget that we also had a doughnut. lol
ReplyDeleteI don't want to sound like a nag, doing more daily activity is a good thing, especially if you don't normally move around a ton, but to achieve long term weightloss you have to exercise. Just moving around daily will only get you to a plateau. To see substantial numbers in weight loss you have to exercise. I do agree, livestrong numbers are not accurate but I like to track anyway just to keep track. I normally hate exercising, but I feel for me, the more I get in the habit of doing it the more I enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, I forgot about the doughnut! Double Doh!
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone is saying you don't need to exercise. I think we're saying that you can count things like yard work and cleaning as exercise. Anything that gets your heart rate up for awhile, etc. I know the other day I raked the lawn and my arms were sore. And you can also plateau even if you have a daily exercise routine.
ReplyDeleteAnd Carrie, I agree with you that the more you work out the more enjoyable it becomes. I actually kind of like running when I can see I'm making progress in my distance and endurance. :)
Ha ha haa - I'm loving this. Not to jump in the middle, but I guess I am... So yes, exercise is good. I love (sometimes) to exercise. But you can lose weight without it and keep it off. Most of the weight that I have lost, has been without exercise. I lost 48 lbs without it (or more, depending on if you count my full-term pg weight). My sister lost 60. On The Biggest Loser last season, they said that diet is 80% of weight loss, exercise is only 20%. I definitely have lost more (and look better) with exercising and it's so important too so that you're healthy, not just thinner. Yeah, we all know that. I just had to add fuel to the fire, lol ;) Anyway, I think that changing our diet and the way we react and feel about food is the *most* important thing. I know that in the past I definitely had a love-hate relationship. I loved to eat it... then I hated what it did. Well, I guess I'm still that way a little, I just have learned to control it better and realize what I'm doing more. Ok, I'm rambling - sorry. And yes! the more you work at exercising, definitely the more enjoyable it is! I finally am feeling like I "fit in" in my kickboxing class and it's wonderful! lol (fit in as in I know what I'm doing and don't look like a doof ;)
ReplyDeleteBlah, blah, blah, I concede. I know that when I lost 85 pounds the first time around, it was mainly because of exercise, which I read and studied a lot about. That's the end of my point. I won't say another word.
ReplyDelete