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MFP Activity calories

spospo1
spospo1 Posts: 433 Member
edited November 2024 in Social Groups
I just switched from WW to MFP tracking. I am getting familar with the App and I like it. Is it me or are the calories given for exercise, steps ETC a bit generous. I'm not dipping into them but it would be nice if I could ;)

Replies

  • goldenfrisbee
    goldenfrisbee Posts: 1,640 Member
    Yes, I think they are. For example, it tells me that if I ride my bike at a moderate rate of 10-12 mph for 60 minutes I'll burn about 800 calories. I don't think that is accurate.
  • Rachel0778
    Rachel0778 Posts: 1,701 Member
    They're super generous. If you use them, I recommend only eating back half.
  • myallforjcbill
    myallforjcbill Posts: 5,846 Member
    edited May 2017
    I only take seriously the ones I measure with a HRM.
  • TimDumez
    TimDumez Posts: 1,161 Member
    edited May 2017
    Both of my HRMs count about 65% of what MFP says I'm burning. Had to correct my numbers. Sorry about that. My brain was in a fog. lol
  • gadgetgirlIL
    gadgetgirlIL Posts: 1,381 Member
    I also agree they are overly generous. The calorie counts I get from the stationary bike at the gym are usually only about 70% of what MFP gives me. The treadmill is typically about 80% unless I'm doing some running, in which case I sometimes get a few more calories that what MFP says. But I know I'm also sweating and breathing pretty hard when that occurs.

    I don't log anything for my weight training or incidental walking.
  • Out_of_Bubblegum
    Out_of_Bubblegum Posts: 2,220 Member
    My HRM tracks about the same as MFP on some examples.. others it is +/- 25%, depending on the exercise and intensity level... but my max HR is a bit higher than most folks when exercising.. always has been.

    I typically eat back 50% of what my HRM gives me and it is working well.
  • Calvin2008Brian
    Calvin2008Brian Posts: 1,024 Member
    I've noticed too the super-generosity of the MFP exercise calories. I played around with different categories of biking to try to get a more realistic number, but they're all high.

    Agree totally on not eating back all that are earned, but I do like to look to my exercise cal's one in a while to justify a beer or two.
  • RedSassyPants
    RedSassyPants Posts: 414 Member
    I only use my HRM. But I'm a bit neurotic about stuff like that
  • 0ysterboy
    0ysterboy Posts: 192 Member
    Yeah, I agree, the numbers are inflated IMHO by about 2-fold. The app will routinely give me 1800 cal burned for a 90 min bike ride at 15-17 mph. HRM puts it at ~800.
This discussion has been closed.