Fitness Experiment

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SLLRunner
SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
edited February 7 in Fitness and Exercise
I have suspected for awhile that my exercise numbers are off because, even though I set my MFP goals to lose .5 pounds a week for the last ten pounds, I have actually been losing 1 to 1.5 pounds a week. I don't use MFP numbers anymore, but I did use the numbers off the machines where I input weight and age. That's when the weight started coming off faster than I wanted (I want slow as I move toward maintenance).

When I started out losing the 33 pounds, I was using the MFP estimations and was losing weight at about a pound or less a week, even though i had set my goals to lose 2 pounds a week. When I cut some of the MFP numbers down, the weight came off at about 1.5 pounds a week. Okay with me.

Yesterday, I finally bought a Polar F7 heart rate monitor and today was my first day or testing out the HRM to see what numbers it gave me. What I discovered is that MFP numbers are indeed VERY overstated (as many of us already know :smile:) and the numbers on the machines at the gym are understated.

I noticed that I have been way understating my strength training workouts. Today I did 20 minutes at home with my ball and weights (the gym was closed due to a power outage so I made due at home! :bigsmile:) and the HRM said I burned about 60 calories. It's the same free weight routine I do at the gym, and then I also do the machines. I'm interested in seeing how much my total strength training burns at the gym on Monday morning.

I went for a run as well today for 50 minutes, since I could not use the treadmill as I usually do. It was a great run. My pedometer said I burned over 500 calories. MFP gives me 620 calories for 50 minutes, which I know is bogus. My heart rate monitor today gave me 430 for 50 minutes, and the machine at the gym also gives me a higher calorie burn than my HRM but not by much.

All I can say is to beware of MFP calculations as well as the numbers on the machines at the gym. I believe that my strength/circuit training burns more calories than I think, and my running about the same as I thought.

If you exercise as hard as I do, I think it's worth investing in a heart rate monitor. However, I'm wondering if they do over or under calculate or if I can be assured that the number is pretty accurate. Any feedback is welcome.

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