Help - What one do you go by

Chrissy979
Chrissy979 Posts: 51 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm trying to input everything I am eating and all of my excercises, but I'm never sure what to go by. If I average a speed of 5.2 km's for 60 minutes if I input in through MFP it show 702 calories burned, if I go by the app I have on the phone that goes by distance of 6.4 km's travelled it says 352 calories, there is such a big differnce between the two, if anyone could offer up some advice I would appreciate it!

Replies

  • yesthistime
    yesthistime Posts: 2,051 Member
    1. I don't trust MFP numbers, because they tend to be inflated by A LOT.
    2. I always take the lower number so that I don't falsely believe I burned more calories than I really did.
    3. I got a heart rate monitor because I drove myself crazy :smile:
  • PunkyRachel
    PunkyRachel Posts: 1,959 Member
    MFP is not accurate to you, its a general estimate. I put my weight and height into any cardio machines I use, and for like walking or zumba class I will use an online calculator that goes off my weight.
  • mom2mozart
    mom2mozart Posts: 307 Member
    My elliptical has a HRM and calculates my calories burned. It is usually 1/2 of what MFP estimates. I use the calculation from my machine, obviously...

    I also believe MFP inflates the burn. You can check other sites though to get an average. Or, better yet invest in a HRM.
  • auroranflash
    auroranflash Posts: 3,569 Member
    It has to do with how much you weigh and how high your heart rate is, as well as how active you usually are.. the only way to get a "for sure" number is to use a heart rate monitor (or HRM), but just to be safe, as I don't have one either, I always round down... sometimes way down.

    I'd rather be safe than sorry, y'know? If I know I worked my butt off, then I'll go a little higher, but without an HRM, it's still just guesstimation. And even those things aren't 100% accurate... you just kind of have to guess and see how you respond to it. If you plateau, you can assume you are underestimating your calories eaten, or overestimating your burn, and adjust accordingly. It is a learning process... good luck though!
  • hailzp
    hailzp Posts: 903 Member
    HRM is the way to go :)I found the MFP over estimated some while under estimating other. I love love love my heart rate monitor. It is instant gratification and pushes me harder.
  • qtiekiki
    qtiekiki Posts: 1,490 Member
    I personally took the lower numbers before I started using a HRM.
  • Chrissy979
    Chrissy979 Posts: 51 Member
    Thanks for helping out the newbie everyone I will look into the heart rate monitor!

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