measuring calories burned- problem!

samrockrocks

Hello everyone!

I have hyperthyroidism which I am working on getting properly treated. In the meantime, I've gotten back into the swing of exercising. I have a HRM, but I'm not sure how accurate it is. Because of my thyroid, my resting heart rate is already elevated.. sometimes 90, sometimes 120. SO when I exercise, my heart rate jumps up and screws up the reading. I walked 2 miles at 5mph and it said I burned 400 calories. NO WAY!! But the MFP estimate seems too low too. SO what do I do? I don't know how to be more accurate.

Another example- I was playing Wii Biggest Loser Challenge and it said I burned only 109 calories in 30 minutes and my HRM said I burned like 350.

Any suggestions/comments/thoughts??

laursey

My rule of thumb is always to err on the conservative side always. I'd rather do that than overestimate. What about an average of the two?




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lovejoydavid

You might want to toss the HRM. Hyperthyroid patients actually do have an elevated BMR, but this will subside as treatment takes affect, so you cannot count on it for weight loss. As to the HRM, I use one to estimate what fuel I am using and what training range I have entered, but not calories burned.

dad106

Is your HRM calculated to your weight/age/height and sex?

Personally I'd go with the HRM and just not eat all the calories back.... I mean, I have polar FT7 and it takes my resting heart rate and adjusts the zones... so I feel that makes the calorie burn a bit more accurate then not.

Just an FYI- I walk about 1.5 miles at a speed of 3.0 mph and my HRM says I burn between 250 and 300 calories.. so going at 5 mph for 2 miles I can def. see that happening.

samrockrocks

thanks guys. I'm hoping to get my thyroid in order soon.. but i agree that it's better to be conservative than to overeat. at the end of the day, if i'm hungry, i'm going to eat.