Different Aps = Different Kjs burned??

Kazzam33

Hi Everyone,
I'm still fairly new to MFP but I've linked up my 'Map My Fitness' account & my 'C25K - Trainer' account to my MFP account & I just have a question about the Kjs burned for each workout in each different Ap.

I assume automatic calculation on MFP Kjs burned is fairly accurate seeing as I have loaded in my height & current weight & other variables such as speed & duration.
I figure the automatic calculation on 'Map My Fitness' is fairly accurate as well seeing as all the same variables are loaded as well as it accounting for incline as well.
C25K - Trainer on the other hand does not have any of those factors entered & seems to be giving me a bit more of a generic reading than I would have liked.
Does anyone else have any other issues like this & what can I do to make things a bit more accurate (I understand they aren't ever going to be exact but as close as I could get).

Any advise would be great.

Cheers
Kazza

Itskaleena

MFP tends to over estimate on calories burned

Kazzam33

Thanks. Why does it do that? Do you have any idea? Do you use MMF? I thought they were a bit more generous than MFP but I thought that might have had something to do with the incline as well.

brianpperkins

Different sites have different formulae to calculate burns.

Kazzam33

Different sites have different formulae to calculate burns.

Is there one that you would consider more accurate than others??

Kazzam33

MFP tends to over estimate on calories burned

Thanks. Why does it do that? Do you have any idea? Do you use MMF? I thought they were a bit more generous than MFP but I thought that might have had something to do with the incline as well.

CA_Underdog

MyFitnessPal underestimates the number of calories I burn living (e.g., walking to/from my office, doing dishes, cooking dinner), but overestimates the calories I burn doing an activity. It knows my height and weight, but not my body fat percentage, how fit I am, or how well-adapted my muscles are to an activity. MyFitnessPal also can't take into account hills, resistance, or what you're carrying.

This is where a Heart Rate Monitor enters the picture.

If you must use the MyFitnessPal estimates, simply credit yourself 75% of what it gives you. That way, you can be sure you're not eating back too many calories from exercise.

Kazzam33

MyFitnessPal underestimates the number of calories I burn living (e.g., walking to/from my office, doing dishes, cooking dinner), but overestimates the calories I burn doing an activity. It knows my height and weight, but not my body fat percentage, how fit I am, or how well-adapted my muscles are to an activity. MyFitnessPal also can't take into account hills, resistance, or what you're carrying.

This is where a Heart Rate Monitor enters the picture.

If you must use the MyFitnessPal estimates, simply credit yourself 75% of what it gives you. That way, you can be sure you're not eating back too many calories from exercise.

I haven't been adding in any of my incidental exercise at all (Walking to/from work, household chores etc)? I didn't know you could do that. I've only been adding in my allotted exercise time that I've scheduled in for the week so if I don't add the incidentals then would I be ok in assuming that the MFP exercise calculation may be close to correct if its incorporating incidentals as well?

MeanderingMammal

Different sites have different formulae to calculate burns.

Is there one that you would consider more accurate than others??

They're all different, I use Runkeeper, but the main thing is to use one consistently. You'll be able to compensate for the error then.

For running, estimate 100 cals per mile, its as close as anything else.