Overestimating Calories Burned

stevemcknight

When I see people's exercise numbers that are something like this:

So-and-so burned 1,150 calories doing 55 minutes of exercise

I can't help but wonder if they're trying to impress someone? Trying to make their numbers work at the end of the day? Just completely crazy to think they're burning that much?

Unless the exercise is "Running from a bear.... who's hungry" The reality is, you're probably not burning 1,150 ADDITIONAL calories in under an hour. If it's a home program or an exercise class, that probably includes a lighter warm-up as well as a stretching part, not to mention breaks. If you're wearing a HRM and it says that number, then it's including your basic burn that you would have burned even if laying on the couch watching TV. (and also, I suspect, even then is too high.)

I suppose hitting a huge number is possible for someone who's truly pushing at their honest, ultimate max; but as a trainer and a class teacher, you rarely, if ever see ultimate effort. It can happen, but it is rare and far between these examples.

Look, in the end, who cares! Not me - if seeing the big number helps you - then by all means, keep putting it up, but if you are really, truly looking to make your goals - let's be a little more realistic folks.

dababers

I agree...takes me an hour and 45 minutes to burn just over 1000 calories doing one hour of elliptical and 45 minutes of walking at 3.5mph on treadmill. I don't get it either.

MeredithLee11

If you're wearing a HRM and it says that number, then it's including your basic burn that you would have burned even if laying on the couch watching TV. (and also, I suspect, even then is too high.)

Never thought of that. So should we HRM-users be subtracting our basal calorie expenditure for the time we're exercising (BMR/24 hours * time exercising)?

amymeenieminymo

I've wondered the same. The most I've ever burned was around 700 and that was on a 23ish mile bike, and of course it took longer than an hour. I don't think I would want to burn that much because I don't think I could possibly find time in the day to eat all of that back :laugh:

stevemcknight

Well, if you eat back your exercise calories and base it on a HRM that includes your daily burn, then you're actually overeating.

southernlay_d

So, I usually hit 1000 on my HRM during my Zumba classes. I am really moving and grooving during it. Do you think this is an innacurate number? I start it as soon as class starts and stop it as soon as I stop dancing.

waverly9876

I wondered the same thing. Thanks for the info. I could never burn that many calories as I see some people's statuses.

MeredithLee11

Well, if you eat back your exercise calories and base it on a HRM that includes your daily burn, then you're actually overeating.

I rarely eat back all of my exercise calories, but that doesn't really answer my question as to how to get a more accurate calorie count.

amymeenieminymo

If you're wearing a HRM and it says that number, then it's including your basic burn that you would have burned even if laying on the couch watching TV. (and also, I suspect, even then is too high.)

Never thought of that. So should we HRM-users be subtracting our basal calorie expenditure for the time we're exercising (BMR/24 hours * time exercising)?

When I first got my HRM, I logged exactly what it said I burned, but then someone pointed out the fact that you actually burned less because some of that you would have burned anyway just sitting around. So I did the math and figured out how much to deduct and did that for a while....but then I found it very disheartening because I'd work my butt off to burn 400 calories, then have to subtract 100. So I stopped doing that, lol. BUT to make up for it, I only count my calories burned until the moment I stop exercising. So say for example, today when I got off the bike it said I had burned 500.....walking around and stretching, my heart rate was still up in the 160's....140's for a while as it gradually came down. I don't count any of that. It probably doesn't make up for it totally, but then again I don't always eat every last exercise calorie, I usually have at least 40-80 left over so I figure it all washes.

stevemcknight

So, I usually hit 1000 on my HRM during my Zumba classes. I am really moving and grooving during it. Do you think this is an innacurate number? I start it as soon as class starts and stop it as soon as I stop dancing.

I would guess that's high. of course, that's just a guess, not seeing you and effort wise- but it's up to you to judge.

I usually tell clients to estimate on a scale of 1-10 on effort. That's how many calories you burned per minute. This is a little low, but accounts for breaks, warm-up, cool-down and times that you're just not bringing it hard.

So 60 minute Zumba at 7 effort level would be 420 additional calories. (not counting couch calories)

sara_m83

So, I usually hit 1000 on my HRM during my Zumba classes. I am really moving and grooving during it. Do you think this is an innacurate number? I start it as soon as class starts and stop it as soon as I stop dancing.

I am guessing this is inaccurate. When I do an hour of Zumba, I burn about 450 calories. The most I burn is from running and that is usually about 550 calories in 60 minutes.

tgh1914

Agreed! Add to that, the fact that a lot of people see a calorie estimate at some early point in their fitness history (whether on a HRM or a machine at the gym) and assume it stays about the same over time. As your body gets more fit, you'll burn less doing the same exercise since your body "learns" to be efficient at it. So it will take you less energy to accomplish what once required xxx calories. Also, as you lose weight, you'll need to take a new look at your total burn - it will go down.

get_it_gone2012

So, I usually hit 1000 on my HRM during my Zumba classes. I am really moving and grooving during it. Do you think this is an innacurate number? I start it as soon as class starts and stop it as soon as I stop dancing.

Probably not super inaccurate. Just take your BRM and divide it by 24, that should give you the amount of calories you burn in an hour doing nothing. Then subtract this from what your HRM says and you should be pretty golden!

stevemcknight

Agreed! Add to that, the fact that a lot of people see a calorie estimate at some early point in their fitness history (whether on a HRM or a machine at the gym) and assume it stays about the same over time. As your body gets more fit, you'll burn less doing the same exercise since your body "learns" to be efficient at it. So it will take you less energy to accomplish what once required xxx calories. Also, as you lose weight, you'll need to take a new look at your total burn - it will go down.

agreed.

amber_hanners

so hrm factor in what you would be burning doing nothing??? how do u figure out what u burned exercising then?? please explain

spcopps

Ok I have a question..I tested my HRM the other day (1 minute before my workout) and it said I burned 2.4 calories while sitting still. According to MFP I only burn 1 calorie per minute. How do I know which is correct?? I usually burn about 250 calories according to my HRM working out for 45 minutes (turbo jams) and this is AFTER subtracting 1.4 calories per minutes for BMR. Also how do I KNOW if my HRM is already taking my BMR into account?? My HRM ask for my weight, age, height and sex when setting up for HRM mode My guide doesn't specify this but it does state •Calories burned are based on your age, gender, relative heart rate and total time of exercise. I am at a 1200 calorie day and don't want to go WAY over but also don't want to be WAY under. Any help appreciated.

stevemcknight

So, I usually hit 1000 on my HRM during my Zumba classes. I am really moving and grooving during it. Do you think this is an innacurate number? I start it as soon as class starts and stop it as soon as I stop dancing.

Probably not super inaccurate. Just take your BRM and divide it by 24, that should give you the amount of calories you burn in an hour doing nothing. Then subtract this from what your HRM says and you should be pretty golden!

Well, not quite - BRM takes into account sleeping vs. waking times, and food digestion times (or best calorie burner.)

southernlay_d

I do not want this to be so difficult Please do not make me do math! LOL

PegasusDeb

I've noticed that in my own recording. I just figured out that I can change my cal burn. I am just learning Turbo Jam & they claim over 400 cals for 25 minutes! I KNOW that's not right for me! Thank goodness I wasn't eating all my w/o cals back!

abyt42

However, small people and big people burn different amounts of energy/calories doing the same exact thing. My husband and I take the same hour long 4 mile walk, but he burn almost 1/3 more calories....

When I weighed 40 pounds more than I do right now, I burned more calories walking/ climbing stairs/ doing yoga than I do now that I'm more fit.

get_it_gone2012

so hrm factor in what you would be burning doing nothing??? how do u figure out what u burned exercising then?? please explain

Take your BMR and divide it by 24 to find out what you burn on average in an hour. The subtract this from what your HRM says. This is fairly accurate

forty3fab

Well for us nontrainers out there who get our numbers from a HRM, are you saying they are all incorrect? My HRM says I can burn over 300 calories in a half hour doing an intermediate/advanced level on my elliptical machine. Should we just not believe these devices that we invested in for our health?

spcopps

Ok I have a question..I tested my HRM the other day (1 minute before my workout) and it said I burned 2.4 calories while sitting still. According to MFP I only burn 1 calorie per minute. How do I know which is correct?? I usually burn about 250 calories according to my HRM working out for 45 minutes (turbo jams) and this is AFTER subtracting 1.4 calories per minutes for BMR. Also how do I KNOW if my HRM is already taking my BMR into account?? My HRM ask for my weight, age, height and sex when setting up for HRM mode My guide doesn't specify this but it does state •Calories burned are based on your age, gender, relative heart rate and total time of exercise. I am at a 1200 calorie day and don't want to go WAY over but also don't want to be WAY under. Any help appreciated.

PLEASE somebody help me with this..I posted the question a few days ago with NO responses..

CallMeMamaBoo

I burn over 1000 almost daily.....

This is how most of my days go....

My morning workout is usually 60 min. on the bike that averages between 500-600 burned

In the evening I do one of my DVD workouts that generally average 300-350 burned
Following that I do another 30-60 minutes of cardio on treadmill or bike for another burn of between 350-600.

And throughout the day, I breastfeed which is another 300-500 burned.

I love my exercise and being a stay at home mom, it's ME time and it's something I look forward to. I can't speak for anyone else but for me, hitting 1000 a day is goal that I set for myself and I am proud to accomplish and I don't really appreciate anyone questioning my abilities. This is MY journey and I reap MY OWN BENEFITS! We all are on a journey to be healthy and fit and I think sometimes it's best to stay focused on ourselves more than what others are doing. But this is just my own opinion. I've seen some outrageous burn totals from some people that might not look like they are capable of such numbers but 3 months ago, I didn't think I was capable of those numbers either and I am. I DON"T look forward to the day that I no longer need to burn those kinds of numbers. I enjoy the challenge.


*I should add that I do use a HRM and I am asthmatic. I don't know if that effects my burn totals or not but it doesn't slow me down like it used to.

shoog883

I totally agree with you Steve! I was wondering the same thing. I was think how the hell are they burning those many calories in less than an hour? I usually run for just under an hour and I usually burn anywhere from 580 to 680 calories. When I saw these high numbers that other were burning, I was worried I wasn't working hard enough, although I really felt like I was. Thanks for clearing this up and making me feel better about my work-outs...which I am actually really happy with.

hoagieb

I am pretty athletic and I burn around 90 calories in 20 minutes on the elliptical at a pretty good pace with hills. Running a 10K at a 10 minute mile I'll burn around 520 calories, I don't get into the 1000 range unless I'm doing a 1/2 marathon or like distance. I like the nike+ shoe chip, it seems to calculate calories burned with distance / time pretty accurately.

I don't think it matters what anyone puts down for calories burned; however, for me I have to be pretty exact or I will eat too much; however, it is a bummer to think that a whole spinning class equals, like 1/2 donut!

shoog883

I burn over 1000 almost daily.....

This is how most of my days go....

My morning workout is usually 60 min. on the bike that averages between 500-600 burned

In the evening I do one of my DVD workouts that generally average 300-350 burned
Following that I do another 30-60 minutes of cardio on treadmill or bike for another burn of between 350-600.

And throughout the day, I breastfeed which is another 300-500 burned.

I love my exercise and being a stay at home mom, it's ME time and it's something I look forward to. I can't speak for anyone else but for me, hitting 1000 a day is goal that I set for myself and I am proud to accomplish and I don't really appreciate anyone questioning my abilities.

I don't think anyone was questioning people actually burning 1000 calories. It was more about people saying they burn 1000 calories in only an hour. It sounds like you work out for more than an hour so it makes sense that you're burning 1000 calories. I didn't read all the feed, so my apologies if you did feel like someone was questioning you. I also have to say, your work-out endeavors are awesome and how nice it is that you have the opportunity/time to accomplish all that you accomplish! Nice job!

amymeenieminymo

I burn over 1000 almost daily.....

This is how most of my days go....

My morning workout is usually 60 min. on the bike that averages between 500-600 burned

In the evening I do one of my DVD workouts that generally average 300-350 burned
Following that I do another 30-60 minutes of cardio on treadmill or bike for another burn of between 350-600.

And throughout the day, I breastfeed which is another 300-500 burned.

I love my exercise and being a stay at home mom, it's ME time and it's something I look forward to. I can't speak for anyone else but for me, hitting 1000 a day is goal that I set for myself and I am proud to accomplish and I don't really appreciate anyone questioning my abilities. This is MY journey and I reap MY OWN BENEFITS! We all are on a journey to be healthy and fit and I think sometimes it's best to stay focused on ourselves more than what others are doing. But this is just my own opinion. I've seen some outrageous burn totals from some people that might not look like they are capable of such numbers but 3 months ago, I didn't think I was capable of those numbers either and I am. I DON"T look forward to the day that I no longer need to burn those kinds of numbers. I enjoy the challenge.


*I should add that I do use a HRM and I am asthmatic. I don't know if that effects my burn totals or not but it doesn't slow me down like it used to.

The OP was talking about when people say they burned 1000 calories in an hour or less. According to your breakdown, you're burning 1000 calories over the span of a 2-3 hour work out, PLUS breastfeeding. Good job, BTW!

stevemcknight

Well for us nontrainers out there who get our numbers from a HRM, are you saying they are all incorrect? My HRM says I can burn over 300 calories in a half hour doing an intermediate/advanced level on my elliptical machine. Should we just not believe these devices that we invested in for our health?

They are for the most part accurate, but a couple problems with them. They don't count after burn (calories burned for the following 48 hours after HIIT or weight training workouts) and they add in the amount of calories you burn while just standing still.

In general, I think it's safer to use them to see if you're pushing to your goal HR. I wear mine on days I'm doing cardio and don't feel like working out. I just glance at it to see if I'm around 165. If I'm not, I push harder, if I am - well, I still push harder. It's basically a rubber band on my wrist that keeps me thinking about pushing to my max. As for calorie burn, take the number it says and underestimate it. You don't want to over eat due to calories that you didn't burn additionally to your normal burn.

MisdemeanorM

The Tru Striders at my gym tell me I burn 800+ calories in 45 minutes. My HRM tells me closer to 400 and that even (per my BODYMEDIA FIT) overestimates burn a bit. MFP overestimates the burn too, but some people who have a lot to lose burn a lot more than I do per hour.

Shamrock40

I do not want this to be so difficult Please do not make me do math! LOL

I'm with you. I enter in my exercise using the MFP estimator (making sure my weight is accurate first,) but then I usually shave off a couple of hundred calories because a lot of times it seems a bit excessive. Then I rarely eat back all of my exercise calories. Just to be on the safe side.

I've lost 27 lbs and 13.75 inches in 10 weeks, so my funky finagling must be working.