Previously I had been completely sedentary

Okay ....I am morbidly obese 5'2 293 (well now 287as I lost 6 on here). Without going into too much personal detail my day basically consisted of sitting in a recliner and watching TV, playing on the computer and making dinner and small meals each day. I had a home care person clean house for awhile.

I am trying to make myself do more and more. It's very painful but I keep pushing myself as every little bit helps and will make me stronger.

My question is this. I just finished cleaning the entire guest bathroom. I'm talking baseboards, floors, tub, shower, sink toilette and mirrors. I'm shaking all over as my body is not use to all this exertion. Normally I would not count this as this is something I would do occasionally but not too often.

Should I count this? Normally I would have someone else do the floor as I cannot get on my hands and knees to make sure it's clean but I did a lot of bending in order to get it clean. Not on my hands and knees (I can't do that yet) but by bending and cleaning.

My lower back is in pain right now and I did work up a small sweat. This may sound silly to some who endure much more physically.

I've been known to log housecleaning as an activity, there are a few choices in the activities database for cleaning. 

 Oh, definitely count it - you're moving your body in new and unfamiliar ways that are a real physical challenge to you, out on the edge of your current maximum.

That's kinda the definition of a workout!

 How hard you're working is relative to your own ability, not anyone else's - in a year or two when you'll be doing the same thing without even thinking about it, your fitness will have grown to the point where it isn't a workout for you anymore - but that is a ways off yet.

 Right here and now - congratulations on doing a really intense workout!

thank you so much. I was so afraid someone was going to scoff at me. I think I will count this today only because physically it really did feel like a work out. Most of the time I won't count cleaning unless it's really tough like today.

I can't wait for that day that it doesnt seem like a workout.

Hey, a good workout AND a clean bathroom!

Nobody's going to be nasty to you here for being on the path to a healthier you. <3

i used to be sedentary, too.  now i get picked on for being so active.  lol  yeah!  you should count it.  cleaning burns alot of calories.

congrats on the loss & keep it up!

I understand how hard it can be to get started!  I was at 272 and now 221 (but was down to 205 until Xmas hit!)...

Anything u can do now to get you moving is def worth tracking! Calories burned are calories burned!

Some of the things I started doing:

• water aerobics... its really low impact on the joints and u can go at your own pace in the class.
• walking short distances a few times a day... even to the end of the block and back... and increase it just a little each week!
• invest in really really really good sneakers and change them every 6 mths.  Go to a running store to get fitted.  I"m a big girl and need the shock absorption!
• Start adding activites slowly that others used to do!

We are so proud you are up and moving! thats what matters!

I've got lots of workouts for you at my place anytime you want them!

As Melkor said, any unaccustomed activity (hmm...perhaps housework does work for me) does use your muscles in new and strenuous ways.  You become accustomed to them after doing them for a while and they become less strenuous over time and less effective as a workout although they still count for more than sitting in front of the TV.

At your current activity level I suspect that even stretching those sore muscles will count as a workout.  I definitely recommend stretching both before and after anything strenuous to save yourself additional pain.  A heating pad might help when you're feeling sore as well as a hot shower or bath.

Good job! 

are you kidding me?? COUNT IT!!!

I am in pretty good shape being a runner at 23 and even I COUNT HOUSECLEANING. Scrubbing floors and tubs and stuff, i get exhausted!!!

Congrats on doing something you normally wouldn't do. It's the same for any of us (for me it may be adding another mile while for someone else it may be walking up another hill etc..). The goal is to be the best YOU can be and push yourself a little mroe each day. It sounds to me, from reading all of your posts these past few weeks, cc is really the place for you. I'm so glad you found our little eden :) good luck!

smwhipple.....hahahah how did you know?  I needed a heating pad lmao....yup I pulled a muscle in my lower back cleaning that dang bathroom lol. I feel so stupid omg. And thanks but not thanks on cleaning yours too lol....I think I have enough here tee hee.

Next time before I jump in I think I will do some stretching exercises lol

snowfence and reneefitz thanks :) for the kudo's

Sealion..I was watching someone run today and thinking I wish I could do that. Maybe one day I will.

Right now you get to count EVERYTHING that gets you up out of your chair! From the sounds of it, even ordinary movement is a challenge to you. But that will improve - the more active you are, the easier it gets... and yes, I log housecleaning. It doesn't make much of a difference now I'm lighter, but it's definitely worth counting in the beginning.

kajikit....I dont think I will count it all but yes the ones where I really exert myself I will. It is a real challenge even getting up. Besides the common problems of morbid obesity such as osteo arthritus and bone spur on the bottom of my heal, high blood pressure, sleep apenea, gerd, gout and the list goes on Uggghhhh I also have something not related to obesity so it is very difficult to get around BUT......I know that if I make myself do it no matter how painful eventually it will get less and less painful.

Today I didn't move unfortunately besides drive around town and make dinner. But tomorrow i'm hoping to get a move on lol. I have to let my back rest for a minute as I pulled a muscle cleaning the dang bathroom. Next time I think I will try some stretching exercises first.

Thanks for the post!

You can also use the heating pad to help warm up those muscles if you're still hurting or not quite sure how to get some of them stretched.

Some other ideas for lighter exercise...every little bit adds up, particularly as you begin.  Try taking a few extra steps around the kitchen as your cooking.  When you walk somewhere in town, walk just to the next shop, peek in the window and back to your goal shop.  Little things can help build up your endurance without overdoing it.  At home, you can do 5-10 arm swings or whatever feels comfortable, step in place for 30 seconds or a minute, etc.

Definitely log housecleaning - it totally counts! Great job!

I'm new to this site but I think taht you should give yourself a hand for even doing it for youself!! way too go girl!!!

I was pretty sedentary too, only got off my butt to take care of the horses. The rest of the time was on the couch or in front of the computer.  I used to log all housecleaning. And now even though I can now go on 45 minute walk/jogs, I still always log the more strenuous housecleaning like mopping and vacuuming, as it does get your heart rate up, but I don't count simple dusting, dish washing and stuff anymore.    

Don't overdo yourself at first, as you can already see, you can hurt yourself that way.  

Just a thought, have you looked at the Armchair Fitness programs?  Maybe they can help you build your stamina back up?  This site looks a little expensive, maybe you can find them or something similar elsewhere on the web or Ebay for less.  It's just the first site I found on a quick google search.

Good luck!!!