Uhhhh....it's 7:30pm and I have 1660 calories LEFT

Collier78

eat back 50% of your exercise calories...850 calories for 1 hour is zumba is way too high.

QFT. Zumba burns are reported as being so high. I never get those burns, even in the most vigorous of classes. The most I get to (and I mean with jumps and all) is 400.

OP eat until you are normally full. Why overeat? Makes no sense. That's how the bad habit starts.

How do you know how many calories you burn?

I do Zumba on ocaision with a friend of mine, with an HRM and chest strap and I don't get 850 either. However, that is why I only eat back 50% of my exercise calories instead of all. I probably weigh more than you at 5'10" 262. Stef is right that the HRM and chest strap are designed for steady state, like running or cycling, and that is why the recommendation of only eating back 50% of those calories is made, to adjust for inaccuracy in burns. When I run, MFP says I burn over 500 calories doing 45 minutes of running, but my HRM and chest strap is about 200 lower than that. Take it for what it's worth, and adjust your numbers how you see fit, but if you aren't seeing losses you could be overestimating your burns. :flowerforyou:

leggup

I wouldn't eat back that many calories because I'm pretty sure you did not burn that many calories. I don't know how much you weigh, but you'd have to be over 250 lbs and exercising at a High level (high means you can't talk during the routine) for the entire hour) to clock in around 800 cals. Most Zumba classes are not 1 hr. They are typically 50 minute classes, of which there is at least 1 song for cool down.

ETA: HRM are worthless for Zumba classes. They are designed for steady state cardio, like cycling, running, and walking.

Allegi32

I do Zumba on ocaision with a friend of mine, with an HRM and chest strap and I don't get 850 either. However, that is why I only eat back 50% of my exercise calories instead of all. I probably weigh more than you at 5'10" 262. Stef is right that the HRM and chest strap are designed for steady state, like running or cycling, and that is why the recommendation of only eating back 50% of those calories is made, to adjust for inaccuracy in burns. When I run, MFP says I burn over 500 calories doing 45 minutes of running, but my HRM and chest strap is about 200 lower than that. Take it for what it's worth, and adjust your numbers how you see fit, but if you aren't seeing losses you could be overestimating your burns. :flowerforyou:

The thing I most appreciate about your post was your tone....thank you for sharing your experience and for your input and the fact that it was done without being rude. :happy: :flowerforyou:

Other zumba classes that I've done have calculated about 500-550 for me. This is the only one I've ever done that is consistently high.

I wouldn't eat back that many calories because I'm pretty sure you did not burn that many calories. I don't know how much you weigh, but you'd have to be over 250 lbs and exercising at a High level (high means you can't talk during the routine) for the entire hour) to clock in around 800 cals. Most Zumba classes are not 1 hr. They are typically 50 minute classes, of which there is at least 1 song for cool down.

Everyone is very different and obviously people have different experiences with different exercises. My heart rate peaks at 199 in Zumba and it stays between 165-185 for the whole class. There is a 5 minute cool down, so yes, 55 minutes of that is spent at a high heart rate.

Clearly everyone has different opinions and that's all well and good, that's what makes the world go 'round. But I'm kind of astounded by the number of people here at MFP that are 100% sure of something, without any knowledge of a person's medical history, body composition, etc.

beanrider

"Everyone is very different and obviously people have different experiences with different exercises. My heart rate peaks at 199 in Zumba and it stays between 165-185 for the whole class. There is a 5 minute cool down, so yes, 55 minutes of that is spent at a high heart rate."

With that heart rate, you really hit it hard, great burn!!

"Clearly everyone has different opinions and that's all well and good, that's what makes the world go 'round. But I'm kind of astounded by the number of people here at MFP that are 100% sure of something, without any knowledge of a person's medical history, body composition, etc."

It is astounding, isn't it! I was cringing at some of the responses your received. May I suggest, Sea Salt Caramel Truffle ice cream to off set some calories, and some negative people!! Keep on dancing!

leggup

Clearly everyone has different opinions and that's all well and good, that's what makes the world go 'round. But I'm kind of astounded by the number of people here at MFP that are 100% sure of something, without any knowledge of a person's medical history, body composition, etc.

See, I tailored my response based on your user summary, in which you say you packed on 60 lbs, combined with the fact that your diary says your goal is 1,420 calories, which means that you're under 250 for sure. Then I calculated average burns at different intensities across multiple sites, combined with my own experience in insane zumba classes. Then I figured you might not know how to calculate calories because you used a heart rate monitor.

Eat back every exercise calorie you 'earn' and you'll be back here in 2 weeks asking why you've plateaued.

Allegi32

Clearly everyone has different opinions and that's all well and good, that's what makes the world go 'round. But I'm kind of astounded by the number of people here at MFP that are 100% sure of something, without any knowledge of a person's medical history, body composition, etc.

See, I tailored my response based on your user summary, in which you say you packed on 60 lbs, combined with the fact that your diary says your goal is 1,420 calories, which means that you're under 250 for sure. Then I calculated average burns at different intensities across multiple sites, combined with my own experience in insane zumba classes. Then I figured you might not know how to calculate calories because you used a heart rate monitor.

Eat back every exercise calorie you 'earn' and you'll be back here in 2 weeks asking why you've plateaued.

I definitely was not going to sit down at east 1660 calories at 8pm, partly because I didn't want to make myself sick and binging is not something I feel like doing, but also because I do understand that there is a window of error with any calculation and that no number is absolute.