Need help working around MFP overestimating calorie burn

calajane
calajane Posts: 52
in Health and Weight Loss
Everybody keeps saying that MFP overestimates the calorie burn when you log your workouts and that you can get the most accurate calorie burn by using a heart rate monitor. Here's my problem: I don't have one and buying one isn't an option right now.

Which leaves me with the calorie burn that MFP provides me once I enter the type of my work out and the time spent.

But since I want to be able to eat back the calories burned, I need a semi accurate number.

Does anyone know by HOW MUCH MFP overestimates the calorie burn? Does anyone have any good work arounds for this? Like, should I only log half the time (log 30 minutes after doing an hour of exercises) or maybe should I only eat 2/3rds of the calories MFP shows I burned?

Any ideas? Please help!

Replies

  • sfbaumgarten
    sfbaumgarten Posts: 912 Member
    I'd recommend logging the exercises accurately and just eating back a percentage or calculating your TDEE instead. Make small adjustments every few weeks until you find what works best for you.
  • shortnsweetbb
    shortnsweetbb Posts: 29
    Before I got my heart rate monitor, I adjusted the calorie burn by subtracting 100-150 calories. I've had my heart rate monitor for almost 7 mths, and have found I was right on target - MFP over estimates by about that much!
  • calajane
    calajane Posts: 52
    So basically if MFP says that today's workout burned 480 calories, I still should log the entire hour, but just assume it was closer to 350, yeah?
  • mschicagocubs
    mschicagocubs Posts: 774 Member
    So basically if MFP says that today's workout burned 480 calories, I still should log the entire hour, but just assume it was closer to 350, yeah?

    Just log what it says and eat back 50% of your burned calories so you are still certain you are in a deficit.

    My MFP database underlogs mine ... at least that is what happened when I got a HRM. So you just have to play it safe...
  • mulecanter
    mulecanter Posts: 1,792 Member
    I agree with eating back 50% or less. Recently, I've been eating back almost all of my calories and my weight loss stopped. I think the MFP calorie burn estimates are over by at least 20%
  • calajane
    calajane Posts: 52
    I agree with eating back 50% or less. Recently, I've been eating back almost all of my calories and my weight loss stopped. I think the MFP calorie burn estimates are over by at least 20%

    Maybe I'll try that first and see how it works out. Thank you all for the suggestions!
  • Nice2BFitAgain
    Nice2BFitAgain Posts: 319 Member
    Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/975025-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet

    Figure out your TDEE and use that # for your calorie goal. When you add your exercise to MFP adjust the calories burned to 1. don't eat your calories back. http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/

    I can't find the sexy pants link - I'm sure someone will post it at some point.

    Good luck!

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