What should I do when....

KaruBlack

I was working out on my elliptical machine for about 30 minutes since it's cold outside and I didn't feel like walking in the cold.

I get off of my elliptical machine and look at the calorie burn it tells me - 252.

I start to input my information in MFP and the site tells me that I burned about 395 calories.

So what should I do when I have two different piece of information, which one should I input? I already know that MFP is not always accurate but neither are ellipticals or treadmills. They have to be taken with a grain of salt. But how do I record the calorie deficit with two readings that are very far from each other?

TheVirgoddess

I would use the smaller estimation, just to be on the safe side.

concordancia

The machine actually knows how hard you were working, MFP doesn't.

rrowdiness

Smaller number.

MeanderingMammal

Doesn't really matter as long as you're consistent.

KaruBlack

concordancia wrote: »

The machine actually knows how hard you were working, MFP doesn't.

Yes however this isn't an elliptical that was in a gym, it's just one I bought at walmart a couple of years ago and I'm getting back on it. And the screen is battery powered, not electric so that's why I'm not sure which I should trust.

Maquillage_

Personally I would trust the lower calorie count, but I'd probably presume that was over estimated too just to be safe. Generally I find that mfp overestimates by double or sometimes treble the amount of calories burned especially with cardio exercises. The most accurate way to tell the calories you're burning is to wear a heart rate monitor. If it really is that important to get the most accurate estimation possible then you should invest in a heart rate monitor. I've no experience with them, but I have heard great reviews about the Polar heart rate monitor watch (the one that uses the chest strap, not sure the exact model). They're pretty affordable compared to other fitness and activity trackers on the market.

DopeItUp

395 calories in 30 minutes would be very, very difficult to achieve for anyone so I'd definitely go with the lower number.

blankiefinder

In 18 minutes on the elliptical today at the gym, on level one with a heart rate of 156 ish, it gave me 150 calories burned. So in half an hour, I would burn 250.