How do you log your physicially active job?

I just started a job at a kennel. I'm essentially never allowed to sit for the time I'm working. Sometimes, though, I'm just standing. Other times, I'm chasing around dogs, scrubbing things, lifting things, etc. Currently I'm count it as "standing, moderate difficulty" and just not logging the entire time I'm there. (I.E. only logging three hours of a five hour shift.)

I'm of particular concern mostly because I aim for 1300 calories and it's easy to be way too under. (Though let's me honestly, I usually manage 1500 to 1800!!)

So what do you do?

Edited to add: Would an HRM help me here? I have no experience with one, I don't know if it would keep track for 8 hours the calories you burn.

http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/calories-bur ned.php

You could just change your activity to 'moderate' instead?

I have considered this. However, I only work three days a week, usually only 15 hours. I don't really consider 15 hours a week anything near releveant enough to propel my otherwise totally sedentary life into the category of "moderate," haha!

If I worked 40 hours a week, though, I would certainly do that.

I would count the amount of time that you are showing signs of exertion; sweating, breathing hard, feel your pulse increasing. A heart rate monitor, or even just a pedometer would help you track this time. But if you're not showing any of these signs, you probably aren't burning enough calories to make much of a difference. If you only working 15 hours per week, can you fit in time for concentrated exercise? Or like me, do you have other commitments that make exercise a challenge?

I would count the amount of time that you are showing signs of exertion; sweating, breathing hard, feel your pulse increasing. A heart rate monitor, or even just a pedometer would help you track this time. But if you're not showing any of these signs, you probably aren't burning enough calories to make much of a difference. If you only working 15 hours per week, can you fit in time for concentrated exercise? Or like me, do you have other commitments that make exercise a challenge?

Actually, I have that exact same question! I work once a week at a clothing store... so I wonder if I should log what I do during that day. I work a six hour shift at a clothing store. Sometimes I get to sit, no more than an hour total, but I'm always on my feet, sometimes carrying clothes, tagging clothes or jewelry, and sometimes I'm just shifting one step forward and back from counter to counter. I have no idea how to log it - I'm thinking maybe just logging three hours of walking? Anyone have any ideas as well?

Sorry for hogging your thread tincognito, I never realized I had the same question, and I figured I shouldn't spam the board with like-minded posts. xD

It seems like it would be a pain in the butt, but you could update your activity level on just those days.  You'd have to remember to move it up and down every day you worked, though. 

I'm lazy, so I'd just leave it at the lower level to encourage myself not to increase my calorie intake.  :)

! I have an idea! Put yourself in as "light" activity all week, and it'll even out.  I don't log my activities anyway, because they tend to overestimate the calories that I burn.

For the basically standing around on your feet walking short distances over and over again all day job, I'd use 'shopping' as a base calorie count. It's a similar enough activity... the kennel work sounds a lot more active, and I'm not sure how I'd log it either.

I teach at a university which means I spend about half my time standing/walking (either lecturing, visiting the students in their labs or just generally running errands).  I've found that, for that level of activity, calling myself "lightly active" compensates nicely.  Because I'm going with that designation, I don't log things like walking to the store, but I do log things like long bike rides, weight lifting sessions, etc.

The kennel job sounds rather more active than mine, so I'd probably just call yourself "moderately active" and not worry about logging work-based activities.  It's worth noting that bodies get used to exercise we do every day, so logging each individual activity might actually overestimate your calorie burn by quite a bit after a few months of the job.