how to track calories burned????

annastasia_82

I work on a beef cattle farm, so as far as a work out its everything from cardio to weight lifting and everything in between. However, I'm not sure how to figure out how many calories I burn while I'm there. Does anyone have any good ideas on how I could keep track?

stacibuk

Get a heart rate monitor

Dnarules

Get a heart rate monitor

Heart rate monitors are not made to use for daily activity. You may be interested in using a fitbit or bodymedia fit to track overall daily activity.

editorgrrl

Your job is not exercise, and should not be logged as such. Your job determines your activity level.

Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-Sexypants

Guamybear

A bodymedia fit would work best for your daily burn.. It tracks everything you do throughout the day,even when you sleep.

annastasia_82

Thank you, I will have to look into both of those. Have either of you used the bodymedia fit before or the fitbit?

I realize that my job does not constitute as my work out, but knowing how many calories I use on a regular day without exercise will allow me to set a better calorie intake goal for the day so that my calories out exceeds those going in.

editorgrrl

I have a Fitbit Flex & a Jawbone UP. You wear activity trackers all day & night, and they tell you your TDEE. (So you can set your MFP activity level accurately.) HRM's are only worn during cardio exercise.

Capt_Apollo

set your activity level to active

Dnarules

Thank you, I will have to look into both of those. Have either of you used the bodymedia fit before or the fitbit?

I realize that my job does not constitute as my work out, but knowing how many calories I use on a regular day without exercise will allow me to set a better calorie intake goal for the day so that my calories out exceeds those going in.

I wear a bodymedia fit, but some of the other tracking devices work just as well. One of the problems with it is that it requires a monthly fee as well. But I still like it.

Mr_Knight

HRM won't accomplish anything for your situation but give you bad numbers.

The only way to really do what you want is to pick an eating level - i.e., X calories/day - and eat that way consistently for a few weeks. If your weight stays stable, that's your daily burn. If it goes up or down, adjust your intake by 100-200 calories/day and repeat.

As a starting point, you can use one of the many calculators out there, and set it for moderately active.

ThinkInOregon

I have a BodyMedia FIT Link band, and I LOVE it. I just upgraded from the Core band (big difference is that the Core data is not transmitted with bluetooth.) I like being able to to know in 'real time' with the phone app if I need to increase my calories.

Here is my referral link, which will save you 15% if you order from the website: http://bodymedia.extole.com/a/clk/2371nx

annastasia_82

Thank you everyone. With all the products out there its hard to know which ones to look into, but now I have some great choices.

Right now I have been eating between 1,000 - 1,400 calories a day. I allow myself to get closer to the 1,400 calories on the days that I work on the farm but most of that comes from protein because I need it. The days I work as a lab technician and a tax preparer I stay pretty close to the 1,000 mark. So far that seems to be working for me (I think, I've only been at it a week but my pants already fit better). Being able to compare the calories I'm using to what I'm eating would be good to help keep me on track.

editorgrrl

You're not eating enough. Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-Sexypants

Dnarules

You're not eating enough. Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-Sexypants

I agree. I think you are going to find you are definitely not eating enough. This is a great link.

Mr_Knight

You're not eating enough.

According to the OP's profile, she needs to lose 80 lbs. If that is the case, her intake is fine, assuming it works for her and she is hitting her macros/micros.

Dnarules

You're not eating enough.

According to the OP's profile, she needs to lose 80 lbs. If that is the case, her intake is fine, assuming it works for her and she is hitting her macros/micros.

But it's unnecessary.

Mr_Knight

You're not eating enough.

According to the OP's profile, she needs to lose 80 lbs. If that is the case, her intake is fine, assuming it works for her and she is hitting her macros/micros.

But it's unnecessary.

So is losing any weight at all.

Everybody has to find their own path.

WalkingAlong

HRM won't accomplish anything for your situation but give you bad numbers.

The only way to really do what you want is to pick an eating level - i.e., X calories/day - and eat that way consistently for a few weeks. If your weight stays stable, that's your daily burn. If it goes up or down, adjust your intake by 100-200 calories/day and repeat.

As a starting point, you can use one of the many calculators out there, and set it for moderately active.

I agree, and I also agree she's eating enough. She doesn't have to lose at a snail's pace because it's popular here.

mcsweetly

You could try to put in all of your daily activities on this tracker. I hear its a good one.

http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc

Good Luck!

Dnarules

You're not eating enough.

According to the OP's profile, she needs to lose 80 lbs. If that is the case, her intake is fine, assuming it works for her and she is hitting her macros/micros.

But it's unnecessary.

So is losing any weight at all.

Everybody has to find their own path.

But so many start off that low because they don't know how to start. 1000 calories is unnecessary, and often leads to a plateau.

WalkingAlong

1000 will get old quick. But everything often leads to a plateau.