How Do You Burn So Many Calories?

Dexy_

It seems that all my friends on here burn SO many more calories than I do. I will bust my *kitten* pushing myself for 30mins on my stationary bike for example, and only burn 200cals. Whereas other people will burn double or more than that.

I am getting this number from the bike itself so that may be the problem, but I really can't afford a HRM right now. Just wondering why I might be burning so much less or is it just a dodgy number off the bike?

shovav91

It also varies greatly based on weight. I weigh about 110 so running for 30 minutes may only burn about 250 calories for me, but for someone that's 200 pounds it could burn closer to 400.

daffodilsoup

I pick cardio activities that usually burn more calories - running or elliptical (but playing sports is high up there too!) - and I absolutely give it my all. If I am not sweaty and disgusting by the end of it, I haven't worked hard enough. Combine that with strength training - feel the burn, baby.

jillyjelly

some people use their everyday activity to calculate (washing dishes, moving furniture or walking ) bikes can be difficult or try how many miles per hour - maybe that will help

Rachiepie6

I use a HRM and find that some people who don't use a HRM burn a ridiculous (high) amount of calories by estimating what they've burned off MFP.

I'd rather underestimate my burn than overestimate it and eat too much..

koosdel

Add resistance. Go faster.

kristinathenina

ZUMBA!!! 600 calories an hour for me (HRM) at 152 lbs, I would burn about 50 additional before I lost some weight

gp79

If you want to burn calories, in my opinion, running is the best and most efficient option. With greater difficulty comes greater reward.

dannylives3

I found that I have to exercise for about 90 minutes to burn 1,000 calories. If I go for a brisk walk, it would be less than 1,000 but probably over 500. I would advise to go for a brisk walk for 90 minutes. If u cant make it that far at first, then just do it for less time until you can. p.s., if you jog for 30 seconds here and there, like maybe every 2 or 3 minutes or so, you'll burn even more calories!

fightingforfiftyfive

Also depends on your level of fitness.. My sister and I do the exact sam exercise class and as and being slightly fitter then her I burn way less calories.

MîîśÊmÿłõü

I got off what my treadmill tells me and MFP for the rest, so it could vary a lot , but a the most I know my treadmill is accurate

tageekly

After getting my HRM I found that MFP was quite a bit over in estimating my calories burned - the machines at the gym, as long as I enter my age and weight, are pretty close.

It definitely depends on the weight of the person and the intensity. The elliptical or a treadmill at 5 mph will probably burn more than a stationary bike because your whole body is in motion, rather than sitting.

Dexy_

Those numbers just seem outrageous to me. I'm very new to the counting calories game, so my opinion is by no means grounded in any facts. But burning that many cals in such a short amount of time just seem unattainable to me unless you're an uber fit gym junkie!

I guess in time I might be able to burn more.

Promqueen_74932

I discovered that I could burn WAY more calories riding a bike versus riding a stationary. I have to use my WHOLE body to get up a hill, around a corner, and over bumps.

Running is a really good way to burn high amounts of calories too. Also a fitness routine like "30 day shred " "turbofire," or "Insanity."

"Insanity" is what I'm currently doing and I burn a lot of calories and have toned up too. Haven't lost much, but my body is "Shrinking." Thank God for drawstinged clothes!

I also hear that your body gets used to the same movements after awhile and it's good to change it up. I really enjoyed musle confusion lifting for awhile.

Hope you find what works for you. :-)
Thanks for sharing.
SLB

bens_mommy

Add resistance. Go faster.

This!

I was getting frustrated too with the amount of calories I was burning. So I changed it up, added resistance. Still was working, but I wanted something better, something more of a challenge.

I highly recommend trying a spin class. I burn 300-330 calories during a 25 minute class and drip sweat. It's fantastic, it's quick, and it will bust your *kitten*!

Promqueen_74932

And Heart Rate Monitor is a must, b/c MFP DOES NOT calculate my calories burned properly!

Had to share that.

thanks!

Dexy_

I'm under 18 so I can't go to a gym, and I'm a stay at home mum to 2 kids so riding/walking/jogging outside are not options. (Yes I know, 17 with 2 kids - wow).

I have been doing the 30DS and MFP reckons that burns about 200cals (logged as circuit training) but I do not "feel" like I've burnt any where NEAR that much.

Ugh, I'm just gonna have to save up and get a HRM!

woo1324

For me i use a hrm monitor and use the programs on my staionary bike , the higher you have the resistance the harder you have to work i also pay close attention to make sure my heart rate is in the fat burning zone ,,, for me it can depend on the day I have had as well

If im bursting full of energy and put everything i have in to my workout i can burn around 700 cals in a hour , if its a pretty moderate to high effort its more like 600 and if im having a slower day its usually around 400 ,, this number is also high because i have allot of weight to lose and my heart and body is having to work harder as i get smaller and fitter these numbers will drop

also my bike and mfp calorie calculations are always different than my hrm they usually give me 100 - 150 more than i have actually burned

hope that helped

youngmum

I find it hard to burn calories on the bike too, but when I do intervals I burn more quicker (eg max speed for 20 secs, resting speed 10 secs, rinse & repeat as many times as I can handle - usually about 10 mins). I find the rowing machine & elliptical machines work better for burning calories.

cajunlady56

I'm under 18 so I can't go to a gym, and I'm a stay at home mum to 2 kids so riding/walking/jogging outside are not options. (Yes I know, 17 with 2 kids - wow).

I have been doing the 30DS and MFP reckons that burns about 200cals (logged as circuit training) but I do not "feel" like I've burnt any where NEAR that much.

Ugh, I'm just gonna have to save up and get a HRM!

I am sure that is a typo cause you have to be 18 to be on MFP *wink wink*

rhiannonchallans

Its all about getting the heart rate up.

Something like an aerobics class will burn way more per hour in comparison to say a yoga class. And it depends on your height, weight, age, body composition etc as to how much you burn.

Then again, weights burn hardly anything but you build muscle. I think you should just find what works for you and stick to it.

PS: do not underestimate the mighty HRM. I love mine to pieces. Rarely says the same as either the MFP or machine estimates.

significance

I'm under 18 so I can't go to a gym, and I'm a stay at home mum to 2 kids so riding/walking/jogging outside are not options. (Yes I know, 17 with 2 kids - wow).

Any chance you could get a bike trailer for the kids or a jogging stroller/pram? Or if they are a bit older, take them down to the playground and run laps around the playground while they play?

arc918

Here are some tricks:

1) be heavy - the more you weigh the more you burn
2) run far
3) run fast (not necessary, but it helps)

daffodilsoup

I don't have kids so I'm not really sure how doable this is, but do you live near your parents or family at all? Any way you could ask someone to watch the kiddos for 30-60 minutes so you can work out - go for a run, bike ride, whatever, uninterrupted? Not meant to be snarky or stupid at all, just worth a shot

mmk137

200 cals for 30 day shred is pretty spot on. I know, because that's what it tells me via my hrm.

It's all about making choices. and not using your kids as an excuse. Because they will pick that up (down the track cause obviously they are still little), and then use that as an excuse too.

my kids know when i'm doing exercise, it doesn't bother them, at first it did but now they don't care.

lisakatelaunspach

I was thinking the same thing @ the gym tday !!! I checked what mfp says I burn and compared it to what the machines say I burn. Sometimes mfp gives me double what the machines say !!! So I go with the machines. I think the crazy numbers u see come from mfp and aren't very accurate. Also remember the heavier u are the more cals u burn

Rachiepie6

I was thinking the same thing @ the gym tday !!! I checked what mfp says I burn and compared it to what the machines say I burn. Sometimes mfp gives me double what the machines say !!! So I go with the machines. I think the crazy numbers u see come from mfp and aren't very accurate. Also remember the heavier u are the more cals u burn

Agreed!!

Ant_M76

MFP definitely over-estimates Cals burned, by cycling. I ride 45 mins at around 14-15mph (rolling avg) and weigh a LOT. Even so, MFP tells me that I burn something like 800+ Cals for each trip. I would think the correct amount is more like half of that! I log my cycling here at a lower speed bracket (10-12mph) to help compensate but I know that my Cals burned by exercise are still over inflated. So I just aim to come in a few hundred under my target each day. Seems to be working OK so far

I also have a cheap HRM that I generally don't wear on the my regular rides but I have been wearing it down the gym and in the spinning class on Friday it tried to suggest I had burned something like 1300. I mean this can't be right, even though I was at high intensity for most of the session (avg 163, max 181). I am 35 and weigh 283 (down from 289, this time last week ;-) )

maemiller

It also varies greatly based on weight. I weigh about 110 so running for 30 minutes may only burn about 250 calories for me, but for someone that's 200 pounds it could burn closer to 400.

I agree. A heavier person has to work their heart twice as hard vs. someone that weighs less. Also if you want to burn more calories, keep your heart rate at 75%-85% of your maximum rate. For myself, my max heart rate is 175, so i need need to keep my heart rate between 131-148. Using a HRM will help you tremendously in keeping track of your calories

hpygirl64ColleenLinder

Finding a workout program that incorporates some high intensity training (you still can do this low impact style) will not only rev up your metabolism but will burn the most amount of calories even when you are at rest many hours later. I love mine and it is an adreneline rush!

Feel free to friend me ya'll for some calorie free positive food for thought daily on my posts, have a fit day! Colleen

youarewhatyoueat86

I havent read the previous comments so sorry if I repeat anything. But, my personal experience is that I started on the bike at the gym, and i'd burn maybe 150 - 200.. then i tried the elliptical and I burned double in shorter time! Now I only use the bike if I want a short/easier work out. I do the elliptical for about 40 minutes and burn about 500 calories. I jog on the treadmill for 20 minutes and burn about 250 calories. so in an hour i burn 750 calories and I usually always do some kind of weight training whether it focus' on full body or abs, i change it up. I dont account for that on MFP because i havent figure out how to! but I can surely see results!