I’ve heard over and over that keeping the house clean or going window shopping “counts” towards exercise. This is often said while ordering an “earned” order of fries or yummy dessert. (‘Earning’ food is a discussion for another time.) Although body movement is good for us, I don’t believe all of it counts as “exercise.”

When I started my weight loss journey, I did indeed start with (rather slow) walking. In fact, most activity for me was exercise for the first couple of weeks as my body got used to moving more than it had. After a short time though, walking slowly just didn’t count towards my daily exercise as it didn’t involve the least bit of effort on my part. Once I was running, walking did little to get my heart pumping unless I was focused on walking very fast. And although a thorough cleaning of the house can be strenuous, how many of us can say we put more than a half-hearted effort or focus on getting our heart rates up as we sweep, mop, scrub or vacuum? Our amazing bodies adapt rapidly, so these activities count as being active, but not so much as exercise. And, if it doesn’t last more than ten minutes with your heart pumping, the only benefit is the knowledge (and gloating rights) that the walk was a healthier and more environmentally friendly way of getting around.

Should we stop walking, and drive? Or stop taking the stairs, in favour of the escalator or elevator? Certainly not. Just don’t let a stroll down the street admiring the window displays justify ordering cheesecake.

Why the fuss? What does it matter? If we shortchange ourselves by believing that cleaning our house today allows us to not exercise tomorrow, we rob ourselves of the opportunity to get fit. And we then soon wonder why despite our “efforts,” we plateau. Then we give up with a resounding, “what’s the point – I exercise and still don’t lose weight.” Being honest with ourselves is essential in getting fit, and when I started being honest with myself I started to exercise instead of just being marginally active.