EXERCISE...Mfp accurate?

Kittyy1994

Hi all, wondering how accurate mfp is at guessing calories burned during exercise. I do an hour of boxing with a partner, it is a great workout and mfp is estimating 320 calories burned. How accurate do you think this is for 5’6” 140lbs young woman?

MarieRosekenji85

Do you wear a HR monitor or Fitbit like device? If not, I would play it safe and not eat back all my exercise calories. I personally use my Fitbit to track my workout calories since it tracks my HR but I also do not eat back all my calories as both are just guesstimates at best.

CarvedTones

If you mean picking an exercise from the mfp list and just entering minutes, I usually find them high and edit lower. A big problem is knowing how much exertion. For example, boxing flat footed versus dancing/bouncing around. How many punches a minute do you throw? Etc, etc... I can see how boxing could be well above 320/hour or at/below 320.

Dilvish

MFP is not 100 % accurate in either calories or exercise. it can't be because everyone is different so always assume it is not accurate and let your mind and body be your guide.
The software can't do much more than assist you in determining your goals and try to keep you focused.

AnnPT77

IMO, MFP can be high for some exercises and low for others, but it's consistent, and consistency matters more than accuracy, in practice. Log your exercise using a consistent method, log your eating as accurately as practical, monitor for a minimum of 4-6 weeks, then adjust your intake goal if necessary. That should work fine.

I've been a 140-pound woman, and have done martial arts, but never boxing. Based on irrational gut feelings, 320 calories per hour sounds possible, maybe a little on the higher side, but not crazy. A lot depends on intensity, and how continuous it was during the hour.

A heart rate monitor is unlikely to estimate boxing really accurately either (not really steady state; strain and emotion both involved; etc.). I'd go with MFP, probably, though if one had/used a HRM and got a lower number, I'd probably use the lower just to be conservative.

If you have an aggressive loss rate goal for your size already (pound a week or more, say), I'd eat most/all of it back. If you have a slower loss rate or maintenance goal, it's probably OK to eat back only part of it, especially if it's not a daily thing. If trying to gain, definitely eat it all.

Beet wishes!

jjpptt2

AnnPT77 wrote: »

IMO, MFP can be high for some exercises and low for others, but it's consistent, and consistency matters more than accuracy, in practice. Log your exercise using a consistent method, log your eating as accurately as practical, monitor for a minimum of 4-6 weeks, then adjust your intake goal if necessary. That should work fine.

I've been a 140-pound woman, and have done martial arts, but never boxing. Based on irrational gut feelings, 320 calories per hour sounds possible, maybe a little on the higher side, but not crazy. A lot depends on intensity, and how continuous it was during the hour.

A heart rate monitor is unlikely to estimate boxing really accurately either (not really steady state; strain and emotion both involved; etc.). I'd go with MFP, probably, though if one had/used a HRM and got a lower number, I'd probably use the lower just to be conservative.

If you have an aggressive loss rate goal for your size already (pound a week or more, say), I'd eat most/all of it back. If you have a slower loss rate or maintenance goal, it's probably OK to eat back only part of it, especially if it's not a daily thing. If trying to gain, definitely eat it all.

Beet wishes!

I agree with all of this.

kami3006

jjpptt2 wrote: »

AnnPT77 wrote: »

IMO, MFP can be high for some exercises and low for others, but it's consistent, and consistency matters more than accuracy, in practice. Log your exercise using a consistent method, log your eating as accurately as practical, monitor for a minimum of 4-6 weeks, then adjust your intake goal if necessary. That should work fine.

I've been a 140-pound woman, and have done martial arts, but never boxing. Based on irrational gut feelings, 320 calories per hour sounds possible, maybe a little on the higher side, but not crazy. A lot depends on intensity, and how continuous it was during the hour.

A heart rate monitor is unlikely to estimate boxing really accurately either (not really steady state; strain and emotion both involved; etc.). I'd go with MFP, probably, though if one had/used a HRM and got a lower number, I'd probably use the lower just to be conservative.

If you have an aggressive loss rate goal for your size already (pound a week or more, say), I'd eat most/all of it back. If you have a slower loss rate or maintenance goal, it's probably OK to eat back only part of it, especially if it's not a daily thing. If trying to gain, definitely eat it all.

Beet wishes!

I agree with all of this.

^ As do I