I need your help please!

I'm normally sedentary. I'm 5'2 and started at 293 and last week when I weighed I was 286.

I usually don't do much but sit in a recliner most the day, shower, make dinner and am on the computer. I am also disabled.

I did house cleaning today from 1:00 pm untiael 3:15 pm. I was in a lot of pain while doing it and broke a sweat while cleaning. My face was bright read for an hour while cleaning.

I calculated it as 1 hour light housework and one hour vigorous housework. Does this sound right?

I cleaned all the kitchen counters with bleach and behind everything. I cleaned out the microwave, stove the top and underneath the hood. I cleaned all the dishes, washed pots and pans and ran the dishwasher. I swept and mopped the kitchen and laundry room floor and shook the rugs outside and washed them. I had to lift heavy things off the floor in order to make the floor clear. I vaccumed the living room and bedroom and moved furniture while vaccuming. I cleaned off all the kitchen appliances and cleaned out the kitchen sink. I shook rugs in the bathrooms and swept the floors before vaccuming.

I know that may not sound like much to some people but I just want to make sure i'm counting this right.

Thanks in advance for your help.

It sounds like you did quite a lot and I think you're logging it correctly although I don't know how the pain factor will play into it, that might make it quite a bit more strenuous.  Was it simply muscular pain or joint pain or is there some other issue that causes you pain.  BTW, I do not buy into the "no pain, no gain theory" except when it comes to muscles.

If you have the cash, I'd invest in a heart rate monitor (I have the polar F4 although teh F6 is supposed to be quite nice).  I get a heart rate read in addition to calories burned while wearing it and it seems to be reasonably accurate.  In measuring it against the CC activity database, it's pretty darn close.

First of all, congratulations on your decision to become more fit! I think your calculation sounds pretty good. What's important is your heart rate, that's what kills calories.If you are normally inactive, that amount of activity was probably a pretty good workout. I usually underestimate my activity if I am unsure. I think you are right on the money. Each time you get your exercise- try to improve in some way...(more  strenuous, increase time, etc). Maybe next time you could clean the house for 3 hours and then everyone could have dinner on your floor!!! Congratulations! Keep up the good work!

PS I agree with the previous poster- a heart rate monitor is a great investment!!

smwhipple;

 I have a 7cm bone spur on the bottom of my heel which causes me pain along with osteo arthritus throughout my body. But I am disabled not because of that but because of an unknown 'mystery' illness/condition. They are still trying to figure out what is wrong with me. All they can say is that I must be in a lot of pain daily, that I have extreme levels of inflammation and my white blood cell count is always very high as if the body is fighting off something. I have had many many tests done. They ruled out Lupus, M.S, Still's Disease and R.A. I have an appt to see yet another Rhuemy in Feb. I hope they can find out what's wrong with me. I have fevers daily of 98 normal to 103 and highest 104 and sometimes too sick to move much at all. So when i'm having a good day I try to take advantage of it but it actually sometimes triggers the condition. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia but there is something more going on in my body then that so the Docs say.

Hope;

Thanks for your post. It sounds like I logged it right then. Whew.....I wasn't sure if I should log it as all light activity because for a normal weight person that would seem light to me. I have been trying to include exercise in my life every other day. My roomie is helping me by walking with me for 10 minutes every other day if I have not done anything else that day.

Thanks :)

Done right, housework is serious work! You sound like you know what you are doing, so you probably logged it just fine. Perceived exertion can be a good indicator. A heart rate monitor is great, however, b/c it removes any guess work. You might like a body bug best so you can get a really good count of even minor activity which, since you have some health issues, could be very reinforcing to your effort.

Congratulations on making the effort. I'm sure it is not easy and I admire you for the effort!

I can only begin to imagine...good for you for trying instead of just waiting for a doctor's solution.  Actual exertion and perceived exertion may or may not coincide, actually I think you might be underestimating the amount of activity given that your face was red for the hour of cleaning.  A simple heart rate monitor ~$100 should help you determine that better.  I prefer a HRM that gives calories as well as the heart rate.

you have to watch out

what to a person is 1 hour work and is in average weight range  is completely different to someone otherwise

a heart rate monitor would be an idea, if you're averaging 160 bpm + i'd find somewhere to work it out using your bpm cos you'll find you'll burn a hell of a lot more

Thank you everyone for your good advice. Seems like a heart rate monitor is in order for me.

I did check with my doctor before starting this program and exercise and he said all is okay as long as I don't do too much too soon.

Yesterday was a little much but i'm okay just feeling the effects today. I will take a break today and then do some more tomorrow.

Maybe you could do something a little bit active for just 10-30 minutes but not so much your face turns red?  Even if it's leg lifts in a chair it's still doing something.

I find after a hard workout that doing a light workout or something completely different the next day helps to keep me from getting too sore.

Well actually I have laundry to fold and put away and the dishes to do and making dinner tonight. So I will do those later and think that will be good enough for today. Yes i'm sore.

Maybe a few stretches like you said would help. Thanks