Is it possible?

msstatz

I am 17.5 weeks pregnant. For my workout, I would walk on the treadmill for 5 min at an incline and then I would do some type of strengthening exercise (kettlebells, free weights, squats). My HRM says I burned 541 in 50 minutes. Is that correct? It seems a little high to me. BTW: I weigh 138lb and am 5'8".

Thanks for your opinion!

happyfeetrebel1

As far as I understand, HRM's aren't accurate for logging lifting type exercises. I could be incorrect, but I think they're mostly for your cardio things. That does seem excessive for lifting.

Just wanted to throw that out there, but I'm pretty sure someone who absolutely knows will come along and answer more specifically.

Beautifulbridgittlee7

Kettle bells and circuit training burn a lot of calories.

msstatz

happyfeetrebel1 wrote: »

As far as I understand, HRM's aren't accurate for logging lifting type exercises. I could be incorrect, but I think they're mostly for your cardio things. That does seem excessive for lifting.

Just wanted to throw that out there, but I'm pretty sure someone who absolutely knows will come along and answer more specifically.

Hmmm... Ok. That is kinda what I was thinking too. I only lifted for about 3-4 minutes at a time so my heart rate did stay up the whole time but it still seems a little high to me. Thanks for replying.

msstatz

bridgittlee7 wrote: »

Kettle bells and circuit training burn a lot of calories.

Thanks for your response!

IrisFlute

OP - Congrats on the pregnancy!

At 5'8", you're very slim at 138. (I'm at that exact weight and height right now myself, with 2 more lbs to go to hit my goal weight.)

I hope you'll feel comfortable with gaining weight as your pregnancy progresses. It's really good that you're working out, but be sure to allow yourself to eat all the healthy food you want and gain plenty of weight in the next 20 weeks or so. You'll be able to lose it again after you have your baby. Enjoy!

MeanderingMammal

msstatz wrote: »

Is that correct?

Unlikely. HRMs approximating calorie expenditure by using HR as a proxy for calorie expenditure and then extrapolating based on adherence to the conditions that the algorithms were developed under.

Essentially standard conditions would be broadly steady state aerobic CV work. Walking is so low in the aerobic range that they're not particularly accurate there, and resistance training and circuit training will tend to include periods of anaerobic activity, and rapid transitions of HR, so they'll overestimate significantly.

msstatz

IrisFlute wrote: »

OP - Congrats on the pregnancy!

At 5'8", you're very slim at 138. (I'm at that exact weight and height right now myself, with 2 more lbs to go to hit my goal weight.)

I hope you'll feel comfortable with gaining weight as your pregnancy progresses. It's really good that you're working out, but be sure to allow yourself to eat all the healthy food you want and gain plenty of weight in the next 20 weeks or so. You'll be able to lose it again after you have your baby. Enjoy!

Thanks!


I am comfortable gaining weight. I just don't want to put on any more weight than necessary. With my other babies, I gained up to 40lbs due to simple overindulging on whatever I felt like. I did lose the weight quickly after birth but I would like to try to stay in shape this pregnancy. I just feel better about myself when I work out and eat healthy.

CariJean64

I've read that 24 pounds is the "ideal" amount of weight to gain with a pregnancy. I would think anything under 30 pounds would be great, so even your 40 pound gains weren't that bad. Congrats on taking care of yourself!

SLLRunner

happyfeetrebel1 wrote: »

As far as I understand, HRM's aren't accurate for logging lifting type exercises. I could be incorrect, but I think they're mostly for your cardio things. That does seem excessive for lifting.

Just wanted to throw that out there, but I'm pretty sure someone who absolutely knows will come along and answer more specifically.

You are correct. Heart rate monitors are best for steady state cardio.