how MFP calculates calories - exercise

Karyn1120
Karyn1120 Posts: 184 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I hope someone can answer this question:

Today I went out walking twice, both for 13 minutes each (recorded with Runtastic).
The first walk averaged 3.35 mph, and was logged as Walking, moderate 3.0 mph with a total of 71 calories burned.
The second walk averaged 3.5 mph and was logged as Walking, brisk 3.5 mph with a total of 70 calories burned.
Is this a problem with MFP or with Runtastic? Has anyone run into this before? Shouldn't a brisk walk burn more calories?

Replies

  • Unknown
    Unknown
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  • Karyn1120
    Karyn1120 Posts: 184 Member
    They are about the same calorie burn in the MFP database.......
  • jenifr818
    jenifr818 Posts: 805 Member
    At 13 minutes, the difference in .5mph isn't significant enough for there to be a big number difference in calorie burn. The brisk walk would probably have burned about 5, maybe 10 at best more calories. Not a significant enough difference to worry too much about ... it'll all come out in the wash
  • CTCMom2009
    CTCMom2009 Posts: 263 Member
    I never use the MFP calculated calorie burns... Invest in a heart rate monitor and get a more accurate accounting of your exercise.
  • FrnkLft
    FrnkLft Posts: 1,821 Member
    Expecting any difference for an extra .5 mph over the course of 13 minutes is wishful thinking lol

    I mean it's true that "any activity is better than no activity"... but in a lot of cases it's marginal.

    I figure you're new to this whole thing too. Don't let this discourage you, and remember is always the diet that makes any difference in weight loss. Exercise has very little to do with it.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • Karyn1120
    Karyn1120 Posts: 184 Member
    Thanks to all! I guess the main thing is that I'm getting the walks in. While at work a friend and I do a 10-15 walk each morning and afternoon, and a 30 minute walk at lunch. Tomorrow is Saturday, and that means kick-boxing class!! :happy:
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    Today I went out walking twice, both for 13 minutes each (recorded with Runtastic).
    The first walk averaged 3.35 mph, and was logged as Walking, moderate 3.0 mph with a total of 71 calories burned.
    The second walk averaged 3.5 mph and was logged as Walking, brisk 3.5 mph with a total of 70 calories burned.

    The difference between 3.35mp and 3.5mph, over 13 minutes, is smaller than the accuracy of your iPhone GPS, so you don't actually know that there is a difference in pace. You can't take these numbers to two decimal places unless you are going for long, long distances.

    Second, at that short a distance, a 200 pound individual is going to burn 40 net calories on a walk that short. Scale accordingly.

    Or better yet, avoid problems by not logging such small distances.

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