Walking at 3.8 mph

Schlackity
Schlackity Posts: 268 Member
edited January 30 in Fitness and Exercise
When I walk, I have been clocking myself at 38 minutes for a 2.5 mile walk. I think that puts me somewhere near the 3.8 mph range. I'm sure there are other people who walk at this pace, so I'm hoping someone can tell me how they log that activity. In the exercise database, the options for speed are 3 mph, 3.5 mph and 4 mph but nothing in between those. I'm not positive how to calculate the calories for any of the in-between speeds so I haven't tried to add something new to the database.

Any thoughts?

Just realized that it doesn't look like I can add an activity to the database, so then I guess the question is how to log 38 minutes walking at 3.8 mph. Do I use 4 mph and enter less minutes?

Replies

  • TyFit08
    TyFit08 Posts: 799 Member
    Do you have a heart rate monitor? It can give you a more precise burn. Anything else is just a guesstimate.
  • TravelDog14
    TravelDog14 Posts: 317 Member
    Just log the minutes you walked at the 3.5 mph rate. The exercise database is nowhere near an exact science, and it's always better to under estimate your calorie burn than the other way around.

    The difference between 3.5 mph and 3.8 mph isn't so great that you're some how cheating yourself out of some huge calorie burn. Besides, even when I enter that I've done 35 minutes of walking at 3.5 mph, and MFP says that is 200 calories burned, I always lop calories off and change the calories burned number downward. For example I would probably change it to 150 calories.

    By always over estimating calories consumed, and under estimating my calorie burn I never stopped losing the entire time I was losing my weight (I'm now in maintenance).
  • Schlackity
    Schlackity Posts: 268 Member
    I don't have one (yet).....any recommendations for a good one that won't break my bank?
  • ncmedic201
    ncmedic201 Posts: 540 Member
    Log half the time at 4 and half the time at 3.5 and that would average out to 3.75. I usually do that because I start out slower so I can warm up and then I increase my speed, therefore my average is always lower.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    I prefer Polar Brand..... I just picked my wife up an FT7 off amazon for 65 bucks with free shipping.... I have FT60 myself.....
  • Schlackity
    Schlackity Posts: 268 Member
    All great answers....thanks everyone. Now if only I could learn to love sweating..... :wink:
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