How to log "walking" properly on MFP

whoajulie
whoajulie Posts: 15
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello, fairly new here.

Just wanted to ask a question about MFP app and logging exercise.
When I go to the gym I log my cardio I do on the machines like treadmill, elliptical, etc.
However, I walk a lot. I walk to and from work, and my job in customer service/floor supervision requires walking all day long.
I know walking doesn't burn that many calories, but I'm curious how to log this in the app.
I also have a pedometer, maybe I should just start using that again to count my steps?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
-Julie

Replies

  • Railr0aderTony
    Railr0aderTony Posts: 6,803 Member
    I use a fitbit which syncs with MFP and counts my steps and calories burned. I also use a Heart Rate Monitor for heavier cardio exercises like jogging or Aerobics. I would not put much weight behind the exercise numbers listed on MFP and if you use them I would only eat about 1/2 of the calories back. Good luck to you.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    I'm not sure what your activity level is set to, but if it is set to sedentary then change it to lightly active (if not active) and don't worry about logging the walking you do to and from work, etc.

    I'd also be very wary recording calories burned from machines. I've found MFP's #s a lot more accurate than the machine's numbers (although still a bit inflated)...but the only thing a bit more accurate would be an HRM (only for steady rate cardio. Don't try to use it for strength training or chores, etc).
  • luckydays27
    luckydays27 Posts: 552 Member
    before my FB and HRM came into the picture, I did not count my day to day steps or add them to MFP. I only added what I did when exercising.

    Now, my FB does the day to day stuff and my HRM tells me what I burned during exercise.
  • whoajulie
    whoajulie Posts: 15
    Forgive me, but what is a fitbit? I'm really new to all the fitness apps and equipment. Haha.

    My fiancé bought me a heart rate monitor for Christmas but I haven't used it yet. I'm sure that will be helpful for when I take my kickboxing/zumba classes too. I think the only machines that give you heart rate at my gym are the bike and the treadmill. So that's why I wanted one. :-)

    I think I do need to go back into my settings and change it to lightly active. I'm pretty sure I chose sedentary when I signed up.
    Yeah and I probably won't worry about logging the walking. I was just curious if I burned anything from being on my feet all day. I think I just get discouraged on days I don't make it to the gym and it says 0 on exercise. Lol.

    Thank you guys for your advice!
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    http://www.fitbit.com/



    You will wonder what you did without one.
  • whoajulie
    whoajulie Posts: 15
    Fitbit is next on my list of things to buy. I have seen some reviews about it and can't wait to get one! :)

    So far my Polar Heart rate monitor is awesome! It tells me at the end of my workout how long I was in my target zone, and how many calories I burned. This was helpful because I did a Cardio Circuit that also had weight lifting.

    Thanks again!

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